ALSATIAN DOGS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1929, Page 2

ALSATIAN DOGS

HORN TO OTAR I) SIIKKT. RKRI/V TO SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE. [liy Telegraph, Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, .Jan. (5. 'The statement made by Sir Thomas Mackenzie in an interview, to tlie effect that Alsatian dogs are really wolves, and are much to be loan'd, was direelly challenged yesterday by the Hon. Mr Smith, M.L.C., of Christchurch. ‘ ; On my arrival,” said Air Smith, ”1 was astonished to read the remarks of my friend Sir Thomas Mackenzie, with reference to Alsatian dogs. I think Sir Thomas must have been speaking from hearsay, and not actual knowledge of the dogs in <|ties!ion, while the stories he relates have been going the rounds of the English papers for the last two or three years. Thu agitation against Alsatians in England is credited, I believe correctly, to a well-known breeder of Airedales. My wife and I have owned Alsatians for the last four or five years, and have bred some very good dogs, which have been very successful in the local shows. We are not breeding them now, so we are not in any way interested in the question of tlm admission of these dogs into the country. J am, however, a lover of dogs, and have had several breeds, hut of them all I personally like the Alsatian. Sir Thomas says that these dogs arc really wolves, and are much to he feaied. In reply to this 1 simply point out that they are tile sheep dogs of Northern Europe, and that given the ordinary training of a collie would far outstrip that dog in all the good qualities that it admittedly exhibits. I would like to point out, too, that Alvatiaiis are not the only dogs that have attacked human beings. In fact, every breed could furnish illustrations of this. If, therefore, Sir Thomas is logical, lie would prohibit the introduction of any dog into New Zealand, which would ,he absurd. “1 admit that the Alsatian is a oneman dog. and is devoted to his master or mistress, hut surely this is what we want. He should not he kept everlastingly on the chain, hut should he made a member of the family. If this is done, Ih> will repay it by affection and devotion beyond all praise. AN AUTHORITY’S VIEWS. /

‘•in ruse it should be considered that 1 am prejudiced in favour of the Alsatian,” proceeded Mr Smith, “I ivould like to quote lor Sir 'ihomas Mackenzie’s benefit what that noted authority, Robert Leighton, has to say in his book, "The Complete Rook of the Dog,’ about the Alsatian.” ‘‘lt ought not to .be forgotten, however, that this dog’s metier is that of guarding sheep,” writes Robert Leighton, ••and that his character, his peculiar gait, his figure and con formation

—even his unfriendly exclusiveness—ought to lie preserved. The Alsatian was known in England before, the war, and some few were exhibited in the foreign classes at important shows; hut it was the excellent and methodical military work done by these dogs in the trenches in Flanders which drew fuller attention to them, and impressed alike our officers and Red Cross units at-the front. Incidents illustrating their sagacity, courage, and resourcefulness under lire are almost like incredible fiction. Captured specimens of the breed were adopted and brought borne, and they proved to fie so engaging and wise as companions, that enthusiasm in their favour led to many more being imported and bred from. {suddenly, Alsatian wolflogs leapt into fashion in England and it became ;i duty to be interested in them.

“It must he insisted that the Alsatian is primarily a pastoral dog, intended, like of the great dog of the Pyrenees, to guard the Hocks against the depredations of wolves. It must, therefore, he bred large, and its disposition must he courageous. “.My nature, he is suspicious .of strangers, and will accept no friendly advances from them. Already he has the reputation of being a ferocious dog. At the same time, he exhibits a surprising fondness for young things—kittens, puppies, chickens and children. . He will slaiul treatment from a child which he would resent with dangerous anger from an adult.’

“There are many owners of Alsatians in New Zealand,” coin luthd Hr Smith, “wiio will be intensely sorry to read Sir Thomas Mackenzie's remarks. The trouble is that this sort of unfair criticism is copied far and wide, while the other side is apt to be overlooked.”