BANNING ALSATIANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 636, 12 April 1929, Page 1

BANNING ALSATIANS

NOT DANGEROUS SAYS BREEDER PLAY WITH RABBITS In view of the controversy at present raging concerning the advisability of prohibiting the importation of the Alsatian wolf-hound into New Zealand, Mr. J. Kissling, of the Rexdale Farm at Mangere, a man who goes in extensively for the breeding of these dogs, demonstrated to a Sun man this morning that the animals could be trained to be very useful members of the canine family. Mr. Kissling maintains that the Alsatian is docile, and lends itself to proper training, as well as any other species, and to prove his contention he put his pack through numerous stunts to shpw what can be done with members of this tribe when properly handled. Some of the hounds, he said, had been trained to work sheep, and wTien put to the test showed that they are as useful at the work as many of the commoner breeds. Among the smaller animals on his farm, Mr. Kissling says, the hounds are quite at home, and are to be seen playing among the Angora rabbits. Mr. Kissling put his pack through several tricks, and the obedience and keenness shown, he said, proved that in proper hands there was little to be feared from the Alsatian.