DOGS AND LANGUAGE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XXII, 25 November 1899, Page 958

DOGS AND LANGUAGE.

The extent to which dogs understand human speech has long been a question among men of science. It is quite common to hear the remark that such and such a dog “understands everything that is said.” but no scientific student of animal intelligence, it is safe to say, ever believed such an assertion. Nevertheless, individual observers of high credibility have made statements which, if they are to be accepted, show remarkable powers of comprehension on the part of animals.

Professor Owen was walking on the eoast of Cornwall with a friend who had a dog named Lion. The dog's master picked up a piece of seaweed covered with minute animals, and Professor Owen remarked: “If this small piece contains so many treasures, how rich must the whole plant be! How I should like to have one!”

Lion instantly leaped into the water, and returned with a plant of the seaweed, which he laid at Professor Owen’s feet. Though this story is told by a man of science, one is inclined to suppose that it was the sight of the first weed in the professor's hands, rather than the spoken wish, which prompted the dog’s expedition into the water.

Sir Walter Scott tells an amusing story of his bull terrier, Camp by name. Camp once bit a baker, for which offence Sir Walter whipped him severely, telling him at the same time of the wickedness of the act. After that, to the last moment of his life, any allusion to the baker would cause the dog to retire to the darkest corner of the room with an appearance of the greatest, distress. But if Sir Walter said, “The baker has been paid,” or, “After all, the baker was not hurt,” the dog came forward, capered and barked rejoicingly. If, however, it was said that the baker died, or was very ill, Camp sneaked away with every sign of sorrow.

It is highlj- probable that this intelligent animal was rather guided by his master’s tone than by his words, and that the doleful allusions to the linker caused him apprehension of another whipping rather than real sympathy for the man's hurt. There is a recorded and credible ease of a shepherd who, to prove the intelligence of his dog. which was lying by the fire, said, in the midst of a long sentence about something else, and without a change of tone. “1 think the. cow is in the potatoes.” Immediately the dog, which appeared to be asleep, jumped up, leaped through the window, and clambered to the turf roof of the house, from which he could survey the potato field.

Not seeing the cow. he returned and lay down by the fire. The same, remark was repeated, and the dog went again to the roof. The third time, however, he went up to his master, wagging his tail, and, with a look on hsi face as if he understood the joke. The company laughed; whereupon the dog. as if offended, returned to his corner and refused to be disturbed again.

A St. Bernard named Leb was once Lying on a ruig. apparently asleep, when a visitor was in the room. The visitor complimented the appearance of the dog, when his mistress said, "Oh, yes, Leo is a. good dog.” The deg thumped the floor with his tail, and half opened his eyes. The mistress went on. “T,vo takes very good care of the children.” The dog' thumped the floor violently anti looked up lovingly at- his mistress. "But." she said. “Leo isn't always good; he has his faults.” The tail stopped thumping, and the dog looked askance at. his mistress. “He will track in mud on the floor, and sometimes I have to punish him for it.” Thereupon, the dog rose, with his tail dropped very low, and slunk out of the room. All these remarks had very plainly been within range of his comprehension.