The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-23

districts, the dogs food Is exclusively
milk, bread and vegetables; but still he
seems to be healthy and to thrive on II.
II specially purchased, the food OF hve
or six dogs viii average six or seven
cents apiece per day. The care and at
tention required are slight. At nlght
the dog must be given a good kennel,
full OF straw, and left unclaimed, In
c%ldentally. It may also be remarked
that, Notwithstanding his long days
labor, he is an excellent watchdog It
should be noted that his feet never need
attention. and that he is likewise proof
against all kinds OF weather,
"From all that can be observed, or
learned by Inquiry" the consul general
at Frankfort reports. 1.-THE dogs. at
least those used as draft animals in
this region, take to their work with en-
tire willingness. Nothing is so irksome
TO the canine spirit as to be confined
in the kennel or left at home when the
master goes abroad. Any sign of pre-
pairing the1cart or wagon for a sortie
affects the working dog much as the
sign OF a gun or shooting costume agl-
tates a setter -Or foXhOund. II left at
home while the cart Is taken to town
by hand, he Is apt to howl dismally I'M
I'll Il returns. Once harnessed, he trots
10 his place under the wagon, and when
used on a milk route or other uniform
service, he learns the way and the
place and average duration OF each stop
as well as his master, In whose absence
he guards the wagon and its load with a
fierce fidelity which no wheeling can
corrupt or fatigue impair. Rarely IN
der ordinary circumstances does a dog
have To be urged 20 greater eNertion; II
spoken to at all, It is usually to restrain
him from drawing the cart faster tina
the driver cares to walk"
The consul at Hamburg says! II nave
noticed that the people become especial
ly attached TO their draft dogs, who are
their constant companions in business,
and that they treat them well as O rule.
The dogs themselves are the very hard
est workers, and enter into their work
with far more spirit and vim than most
horses. It is a frequent sight to see
their masters obliged TO conrtantlV re-
strain them from pulling. 1t Is some
times very pitiable, however, to see
them pulled out OF shape by oveTwork
ana overlooking. Their crooked legs.
v tempenments, blurred eyes
and tender feet tell their tale OF fidelity
and suffering, They ferociously protect
the cart and It's contents during me
absence OF their masters. and seem to
feel a personal interest IN the business
II took occasion to interview the
Hamburg Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty TO Animals on this subject. and
learned that dogs which are used as
draft animals are seldom able to stand
the work more than Ave years without
their spInes becoming affected, and that
such draft dogs as are from time to
time brought to the dog hospital OF the
society for treatment are generally pc
yond recovery. 1 was also told that
the society had repeatedly requested
the Hamburg government 10 forbid the
use OF dogs as draft animals, and that,
although Its efforts in this direction had
thus far proved absolutely unsuccessful,
II Intended TO continue to use Its best
efforts to have the practice abolished.
Members Of the society must bind them
selves not TO purchase anything from
tradespeopie who deliver their wares IN
carts hauled by dogs.
81 am advised that in Denmark II IL
absolutely forbidden to use dogs for
draft purposes, and that at present
there is 4 strong movement on foot in
Berlin to force the people to use DON
kegs Instead OF dogs"