A DOG’S LIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 18

A DOG’S LIFE

CONDITIONS IN AMERICA ALMOST HUMAN INTELLIGENCE In the Western States of America, Western Canada and the remote North, dogs have a harder time in ministering to community activity than their prototypes in Australia and New Zealand have. The sheep dog of the West has an all-year-round job. In the spring it is his job to protect newly-born lambs from marauding coyotes. Then comes the rush of the shearing season, and the menace of the grizzly bear and the mountain lion hangs over the summer pastures in the higher altitudes. In Western States, waterless camps and bitter sandstorms are his almost daily experience in the rough “drove” to the railway. Finally, there is the long winter, with blizzard and below-zero temperature. In such a hard school the sheep dog, starting at the age of six weeks, Jea.rns his trade and works at it until that day when the end comes in storm or an uneven battle against the coyote or the timber wolf. Unlike the dogs of Australia and New Zealand, they do not work by signs, but learn the language, be it English, French, or the medley of European tongues their Western masters affect. Although the old English sheep dog and the Australian and New Zealand strains are distinct cousins, the Western dog is a distinctive type, accustomed to heavier work and rougher conditions of life. He is anything but beautiful, and has often a mongrel appearance, but there is the pure gold of the shepherd strain, and almost human intelligence. Range men love him for his quick wit and tough muscle, and above all, for great natural courage that impels him to stay with the sheep against wild animals and winter gales. The husky provides the only regular means of communication in the far north, remote from the railroad. Four to five dogs constitute a team, pulling 4cwt over snow and a much heavier load over glare ice. Strung in Indian file, harness comprises leather collar, saddle and traces. The lead dog must be intelligent. His task is to locate and follow a formerly used trail, that may be hidden beneath a recent fall of snow. He also, probably by instinct, tells where the ice underfoot is safe or dangerous for the load, and obeys the simple orders of the driver, “mush,” “whoa,” “cha,” and “hwie,” indicating to go forward, stop, left, or right. The dog nearest the toboggan is required to keep it on the trail.