The morning call., 1893-08-24
THE DOG AS A WORKER.

United States Consul Smith of Liege in
Belgium has contributed 10 the Consular
Reports an interesting paper on the use OF
The dog as draft animal. For lcng time
past in Germany aud in the Province OF
Quebec dogs have been harnessed to small
carts aud made to haul loads; it is only
within brief period that they have been
employed in that capacity in Belgium.
They ara found to answer very well in
deed. AT least two doRS are employed at
Liege for every horse; they haul loads for
butchers. bakers. grOceIs, expressmen,
porterS and market gardeners. On level
an average dog will haul with ease a load
of 600 pounds, and large dogs, we'll fed
and trained, viii think nothing of hurry
ing away with a load of half ton. They
are also used in machine. ops and farms.
They are to be seen working churns, grind
ing coffee, wing wood. driving sewing
machines and pumping water. They are
largely used around the bay of San Fran
cisco for the last-mentiOned purpose. They
can be trained to almos. any work within
the limit of their strength.
With US, the dog is divided into two
classes: the sporting dog, who is bred to
the chase. and the ornamental dog, who is
have to be kept in check by the dog
catcher and the pound. The city derives
4 small revenue from dog licenses. Bar
ring this, and the use which the dog serves
in the hunting-field and in pumping, the
animal has no excuse for existence. In
the Province of Quebec, the habitant
keeps one or two wretched mongrels.
which are regularly harnessed by the boys
l.nff ha
vide the stove with kindling-wood In
Belgium the dog is almost as useful as a
horse. There are regular livery stables
for dogs; sous day is charged for their
board and lodging; they are fed on black
bread and horsetiesh, and they seem TO
thrive. A trained animal is worth $50 or
S25. but dogs of fancy breed command
much higher prices.
AS might be expected, the new industry
is leading to interesting experiments in
dog breeding The rules which govern
are the same as are observed in breeding
draft horses. The first requisite is a capa-
cious chest and great breathing capacity.
These are found best developed in the bull
dog. The finest general muscular develop
ment, combined with the highest spirit is
obtained in the mastiff. Hence attem pts
to cross the two breeds are being made in
several places. But the industry is in its
infancy, and there are many breeds which
! might be the subject of experiment. The
tall Danish dog, which is the stock from
which the Esquimau dog sprang. has obvi-
Gus adaptability. and ways might be dis
covered to utilize the descendants of the
Siberian bloodhound. We have in this
city some splendid specimens of this
animal which appear to have lost the orig
inal ferocity OF their race. The large dog
called the Newfoundland-whic is really
a descendant of the st. Bernard and bears
no resemblance TO the genuine Newfound-
lands beast of great strength, endur-
ance and Intelligence. He is a natural
draft animal. Such dogs might be trained
20 go to market with their owner and to
bring home the market. basket in little
cart without guidance.
| Consul Smith estimates the dog force
which now goes to waste in this country
at 8, 800, 900. 600 pounds, force far greater
than is exerted by the falls of Niagara
! BY turning it to account many gains
would be made. The substitution of dogs
Tor horses would save considerable sums
of money in pavement repairs. 1t would
reduce the labors of the Humane Society.
AT the present time both horses and dogs
are maltreated. As TO dogs, they are vic
| tins of a cruelty which is none the less
real because its authors are not conscious