ALSATIAN DOGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21989, 26 June 1933, Page 10

ALSATIAN DOGS

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I have read much of Alsatians in your columns of late, and would like you to publish this letter, which appeared in the Daily Mirror.—l am, etc., Oamani. June 22. W. L. Notman. Among 17 holders of the dogs’ V.C. who will,bo seen at Crufts Dog Show is Bob of Carmel, an Alsatian, late of Carmel, California, who appears to make life saving a hobby. On two occasions ho has saved the life of his master, and, owing to the nature of the deeds, he was adjudged the bravest dog in California and presented with a gold medal. Now he has been awarded the dogs’ Y.C.—the Daily Mirror collar for brave dogs—and in consequence will take his place amorig the group of canine heroes at the show. The dog’s warning when the car caught fire caused Mr Durham to swerve and overturn into a ditch. He was rendered unconscious, but the dog pulled him out of the fire to safety. At a later date, his master was walking near tho edge of a cliff when he slipped over the edge owing to loose earth. He grabbed a small shrub, but his weight was too much for it. The dog, seeing the danger, crawled over and grasped his master by the coat collar. Both were slipping when friends came along and pulled them up. Had It not been for tho dog’s action, Mr Durham iVonld have crashed to the bottom before assistance arrived. After these two officially recorded brave deeds, Bob has another to his credit. Ho heard the cries of a girl who was in difficulty In the sea, so he swam out and brought her to safety.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —Mr Collett declares that my letter of a previous date was in error. I can assure him that he is mistaken. He states that he does not know how he could have told me that I was “ fortunate in not having patted this other dog,” but if he remembers visiting the local coal mine several months ago in company with two Alsatians he will remember meeting me and warning me. If, as Mr Collett says, he was not the owner of both dogs, they were in his charge. As for the motor cycle .incident, it happened within a short distance of Mr Collett’s residence.—l am, etc., J. Anderson. Herbert, June 23. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Has a person who is ignorant of the meaning of "hybrid” any right to denounce a dog by calling it a hybrid (and other things) ? For his enlightenment I would point out that a hybrid animal is derived by mating two distinct species of animals —horse and ass, wolf and dog, etc. Possibly your fastidious correspondent thinks that Mr Little, the founder of Corriedale sheep, used sheep and goats to obtain these “ hybrid ” sheep!— l am, etc., G. Collett. [This correspondence is closed. — Ed., O.D.T.]