SHEEP DOGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1941, Page 6

SHEEP DOGS

IMPORTANCE TO PRIMARY INDUSTRY MANY SPHERES OF USEFULNESS. ADDRESS BY MR C. S. HAY. “The sheep dog is of very groat importance to the progress and prosperity of many countries of the world,” stated Mr C. S. Hay. “Bcnmore,” a, prominent dog breeder, in an interesting address on sheep dogs and other breeds at the weekly meeting of the Masterton Rotary Club today. The president. Mr P. F. Fagan, presided. In Now Zealand and elsewhere the sheep dog gave wonderful service in helping to maintain and increase the volume of primary products, he said. It would be an utter impossibility to export from New Zealand the quantities of wool, mutton, beef, butter and cheese were it not for the faithful service rendered by these very intelligent and capable animals. The. origin of the breed dated back into antiquity, said Mr Hay. It had been recorded that right down through the ages the sheep dog, and others too, had been considered the faithful friend of man. It was quite generally and freely admitted that the degree of intelligence of sheep dogs was nowhere excelled in the animal kingdom. When they were properly cared for and their mental and physical faculties fully developed it was really remarkable how helpful and useful they became as loyal helpers, and staunch friends. Their duties wore many and varied. They assisted with mustering operations for all classes of stock, working in yards, driving stock to homesteads, freezing works, the railway and saleyards and very materially helped their owners to meet their commitments and to place farm products on the markets.

Sheep dogs, he said, could be classed under four separate headings as far as their working qualities were concerned. The header was a silent worker used for going out long or short distances to gather together and fetch the sheep or cattle to his master. He could also be used for leading mobs through paddocks or on roadways, thus taking the place of a man. and was also most suitable at lambing and other times. The huntaway was usually the hardest worked class of dog on the stations and ’ the bigger sheep farms. His job was to hunt the stock out of gullies, up hill and down dale, over all sorts of country, the object being to make all the stock move steadily forward in the desired direction. He should possess what was termed “noise" (barking ability) and forceful purpose when required. The all-round worker was a most valuable animal, particularly to the small sheepfarmer. His work was of a twofold purpose, i.c., part header, and part huntaway. The handy dog. should be partly an all-round worker, and partly a huntaway. In addition to the working qualities mentioned there were various ■ other duties that the sheep dog could undertake, said Mr Hay. Some of the best dogs, he knew to be excellent gun clogs for either fur or feather. Huntaway, pointing and retrieving on land or water, was to them a delightful past-time. Pig hunting they considered a great sport, at which they became adept at finding and bailing. Many instances could be quoted about the high degree of intelligence possessed by the breed. Instances wore on record where these animals on being taken to new homes had returned to their former homes, after journeying over strange country for scores of miles. Cases could also be quoted where they acted as messengers, postmen. packers, guides, police dogs and sentries. There were many outstanding examples of the breed in New Zealand. Mr Hay referred to dogs that would be suitable for a town life. He suggested one of the small breeds such as the terrier class or cockers. . They were merry and bright, sporty in appearance and splendid pals. It was much less trouble to the womenfolk to look after a small dog and space was usually a big consideration. That class of djog was very intelligent and made splendid pots and companions. . With all dogs obedience was essentia]. It was a quality that dogs must have, no matter what sphere of usefulness they were to fill. On the motion of Mr J. G. S. Thompson, Mr Hay was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A new member, Mr A. W. McKenzie, was received into Rotary, Rotarian -R. Lambert acting as inauguration officer.