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National Geographic : 1919 Mar
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232 THE NATIONAL GEC GERMAN SHEPHERD, OR POLICE, DOG (For illustration,see page 239) On the continent of Europe there are many kinds of dogs used for guarding sheep, but those best known in this country are the Ger man and Belgian sheep-dogs. They have come into unusual prominence within the last five years because of the notable part they have played with the Red Cross units and in other activities on the battlefields of France and Belgium. This is one of the handsomest and most at tractive of dogs, and approximates more closely than any other the really wolf type. Strong and clean of limb, bright of eye, and alert in every sense, gifted with a very high intelligence and a wonderful memory for what he has been taught, he is a most excellent and useful working dog. The German shepherd dog should stand 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and show in every line the qualities which he is supposed to pos sess: "intelligence, alertness, loyalty, gentle ness, courage, obedience, willingness, and de votion." He is a graceful, powerful dog, with beautiful lines and curves denoting both strength and speed. It is not necessary to mention the many uses he has been put to in the present war, as Red Cross, No Man's Land patrol, messenger, and ration-carrier. It is perhaps as well to say here that any such active, restless, vigorous, and in telligent animal as this becomes a grave respon sibility to its owner and should be sedulously cared for and kept in control every minute. They become very dangerous when neglected or turned adrift or thrown on their own re sources by being lost, and once they form a habit of chicken or sheep killing they become inveterate and persistent in their maraudings and ordinarily must be shot. One very beautiful dog of this kind was re cently shot in the Catskills after repeated rav ages which started a rumor of wolves in the region. This impression was very natural, and when the photographs sent to the Conservation Commission were identified as a dog the rustic sufferers were still only partly convinced. Dog it was, however, and apparently a very fine ex ample of this new and interesting type. While the standard allows great range of color, those most often seen in this country are of the so-called "wolf" colors-dark tipping of hair over a tawny or buff ground. The muzzle (unlike that of a wolf) is usually blackish. Both the German and the Belgian dogs may be divided into three general types, namely, rough-haired, wire-haired, and smooth-haired. By their erect ears and general expression they betray their near relationship to the wolf. Some of the varieties are becoming popular in this country as companions, and while they do not seem demonstratively affectionate they are staunch and loyal and conduct themselves with quiet dignity which is equaled by few other breeds. )GRAPHIC MAGAZINE THE BELGIAN SHEPHERD DOG (For illustration, see page 239) Many types of shepherd dogs have been de veloped in Europe, and doubtless a good many have just "growed," like Topsy. But it is not likely that the Belgian dog is of the latter class, for in common with several other Belgian va rieties he has arrived at a very concise stand ard, and has proved in the present war one of the most dependable and valuable of dogs for the purposes of finding and bringing aid to the wounded in No Man's Land, as well as carry ing messages where a man could not go and live. He is a trifle smaller than the better known and more extensively advertised German shep herd, or "police," dog, and is usually solid black in color. He is also a bit stockier and less rangy in build and has a little more width of brow. While not so strong as his big, light colored German congener, nor so formidable as an antagonist, he is equally intelligent and capable, equally keen of scent and sight, and probably less of a responsibility for his owner. THE PYRENEAN SHEEP-DOG (For illustration, see page 242) One of the most beautiful dogs in the world is the Pyrenean sheep-dog, but, alas! the breed is almost extinct. Technically speaking, this animated snowdrift is not a sheep-dog at all, but closely related to the mastiffs. In form of body and texture of coat he greatly resembles the Tibet mastiff, though the latter is not so tall on the legs and is quite different in color, being velvety black, with rich tan markings. Had the Pyrenean dog been a herder of sheep like the collie, no doubt his tribe would have, been as numerous as ever; but the Spanish, and later the French, shepherds used him chiefly to guard their flocks against the ravages of the wolves and bears. When wolves and bears became scarce in the Pyrenean Mountains, the need of this valiant defender grew less and the breed was neglected, until now but a few specimens remain. The Pyrenean sheep-dog is one of the finest dogs that has been used in the manufacture of the present-day St. Bernard. It is quite possi ble that the old hospice-dog (which died out when roads and railways cut hither and thither through the Alps) was more of this type than is generally supposed. The Pyrenean dog is one of the large dogs, but by no means so immense as the St. Bernard. A good male dog would probably weigh about ioo to ino pounds, as against 250 pounds for the St. Bernard. He is usually pure white or cream-colored and bears a coat much like that of a Newfound land, only with more underfur and of a more woolly texture. He has seldom been brought to this country or even to England. He is preeminently a guardian dog, used to insure safety to the flock from the attack of wolves, smaller and
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