New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-24
DTSTING UISHED GIMME TISITORS
THEY ARE ACROBATIc IN THEIR TENDENCIES. IN
SPITE OF THEIR HUGE PROPORTIONS

THEY ARE ACROBATIC IN THEIR TENDENCIES IN
SPITE OF THEIR HUGE PROPORTIONS.
This is the only dog in the world that turns n
complete somersault, and he doesn't Ike II much
! Here. Pashard" The big creature forward
/ from his place among the others made the leap
turning completely in the air before alighting
/ on the mattress prepared for him. Twice he dis
tinguished himself. giving vent to erowl Of protest
! each time; and when length he at liberty to
retire to the ranks il was with the air of an ind
vidua who is glad that an irksome task is
Nine superb Great Danes. Bismarck dogs were
being trained for exhibition. They stood from %
to "a inches high. and measured over seven feet
from the tip of TIE tail to the muzzle. Two
jet black. three brindle two all over chestnut
and two spotted like a leopard. Ma: shaed in line
with their eyes fixed watchful,y on the trainer
they splendid array of canine beauty.
Il was offered $500 for him. said the owner,
he patted the head of the foremost in line. HIS
name is Nero; he came from the kennel of the King
Of Wurtcmburg." Nero wagged his tail as if aware
Of what was being said of him, and the line grew
somewhat disorderly.
Attention" called the trainer. waving his long
whip. Instantly all the dogs stood muzz.e to muz-
zle, the alert for the next command.
March" The troop stepped sedately forward and
paused with accord at the shallow ledge that
had been laid down to mark the outpost OF their
progress.
Rest called the trainer. In twinkllng the
nine heads were turned the right, each resting
prettly the neck of his next neighbor.
'FRONT.'" ordered the commander The heads with
their short clipped ears, turned facing him.
REST again? Every head turned to the left.
Front! Back to place. And the troop trotted
back the original position.
Attack All sprang forward with a rush. and
reaching the limit of the sawdust-s prnk,ed floor
rose on their hind legs If eager to pull down the
prey ferocous, formidable-looking beasts every
one of them.
IooE md ono,, amin air rtil
attitude they retired, to stand obedently at the
starting point.
Five hundred years ago these 'Deutsche Doggen.'
or Great Danes, used in the Hartz Mountains
and all through Germany to hunt the wild bears
then common" said the owner. Gradually they
have become more civilized and they
garded the best protectors tina, men have. Their
tremendous strength and their gentleness make
fine combination. When lion-tamer goes into the
cage tc accustJm the creature to his presence. he
takes Great Dane with him. knowing that the dog
can protect him against the wild beast if emer-
gency should arise
Now this fellow here" patting the head of dog
much smaller than the Danes, ''s a German bull
dog. You observe that he is muzz!ed. He IS very
knowing, is Fritz, and can do some rare tricks; he
is the clown of my circus"
Fritz TO the padded stool prepared for him
and sat upon it with exemplary patience well
of what expected of him He danced
on his hind legs pretended to be lame. upon the
top of d pyramid formed by the Great Danes, and
otherwise dsported himself.
Prince. a brindled Dane, performed the Spanish
step, apparently rejoicing when the ordeal
over: Sultan and King went through a series, of
leapfrog performances, the whole nine executed a
dance on their hind legs. and then barricade nine
feet high was erected The great creatures rushed
at II and it. striking their heads with uncom-
Portable force the mattress arranged at the foot
Then all the dogs were Danished from the room
but Leo, the big black Dane and a thickset young
German came in to wrestle with MIN ne DOG
plunged at the man as If he would tear him limb
from limb, growing and snortng ominously. When
he reared up his heavy jaws were on a lever with
and 80 earnest and ferocious the cog seems that
it is comfortable spectacle; finally the battle
wound up with the prone on the floor, ana the
redoubtabe Leo standing with his big front paws
on his chest.
be In earnest" the trainer asked.
IL had a stuffed made. fastened piece OF
meat at the figures throat and SET the dog on him
From constant repetition. and finding that he al
ways got the meat, he came to understand mat II
real fight After he was used 10 the
stuffed man, gave him real man to wrestle with
"A dOg mas 70 s ha nt ' b "i e s9v noe 70
teach. monkey learns from what ne sees, but a
dog never imitates he has TO be taught through his
When wanted 70 teach them that n NET,
leap over. | made it solid, so that they could not
90 under IL or through It. ! always reward them
1t is seldom that l touch them with the whip.
Occasionally, If they are lazy or iI-tempered tap
them a little, but very rarely. Gentleness and pa
thence the only method of use in this KIND OF
How long heve you been training them?'
"A year. twice every day. have been here IN
this country for two months They are taken out
wheat bread. They eat seventy pounds OF meat a
day 1t is cooked for them but on SUNDAYS days they
strength and muscle. Soup is made for them also.
All Of these Grtat Danes are under four geIrs o
and two Of them only pups OF year. Iheir DARK
sounds ferocous. but they are amiaole enough when
THREE OF ne 0 GO they
entertain for other members of the troop.