The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-01
THE RISE OF THE DOG.
when lie Becomes Mans Partner He
Is Faithful


There is quite as much in the improved
conditions of quadrupeds-esp ecially those
that are clsssed as domestic animals-to
indicate the progressive purpose that runs
through creation. as in the advance of
man himself. From the beginning or so
near the beginning that il is not worth
while to 20 farther back. man has associat
ed with himself certain dumb creatures,
and among the earliest was the dog
1t is said that the dog in his original
form, was wolf and that he was picked
up somewhere or brought from his native
den by a human creature not many re-
moves from a wolf himself Strange sto-
ries are told Of a mysterious tendency OF
dogs long domesticated to revert to the
original type in disposition. and for night
at least, to run and howl and prey with
wolves. However the partnership between
the dog and the man came about. the con-
tract was faithfully kept as a rule by one
of the parties-namely. the dog. The dog
even if he was once wolf. consented to
tend the flock on Which il was his original
nature to prey. II he was once free. he
gave up his liberty to follow at his mas
ter's heels. TO lie by the hour in one place
and watch his masters property. to guard
his owner while he slept. and often to keep
up his vigil beside the grave whence every
other friend had ever come.
The other party to the agreement does
not seem to have been so mindful of the
obligation. Very early records make men,
ton of dogs keeping watch over iocks. but
there is no reference to gratitude displayed
for that service. Dog early became term
of opprobrium rs thy servant dog that
he should do this thing" "Spurned like a
cur is the extreme of injury and insult.
IL would be a curious. but probably 4
vain search, to find when the change for
the better in the reputation of the dog be-
gan. 1t must have been when the ancient
maxim, Love me, love my dog was in
vented. and it was the great Alexander
Pope who recognized the belief of 10, tie
poor Indian that in another aud better
world than this his faithful dog shall
bear him company" As the world came to
know itself better, as people discovered
that beyond the mount ins there are men
also it was found that there were dogs
likewise. From the mysterious white north
word came OF region where dogs are the
only work animals. History began to fiji
up with stories of famous dogs the Hound
of Gelert. the Dog of Montargis The IA
nous dogs of st. Bernard went forth On
their errands of mercy and their story
went over all the world. With the spread
of civilization and enlightenment the lot Of
the dog improved and his Importance in
society was increased. The savage is cruel
to his wife and his dog; the civilized man
cherishes both.
In our time the deg, once regarded as the
kinsman of the wild wolf has reached his
highest estate. Kansas City will soon hold
an exhibition at which the remarkable de
yelopment Of the dog will be made mani
fest. There will be great Danes. mastiffs.
and Newfoundlands. and lap dogs and
spaniels. mere canine midgets. There will
be dogs for all stations and conditions
dogs for The chase and dogs for the par
Tor. There will be dogs with a pedigree
like thoroughbred. and which have sold
in direct line for generations for thou
sands of dollars. There will be hundreds
of dogs. and yet not one to class as mon
grel, puppy. whelp. or hound or cur of low
degree. but every animal a dog CT charac-
ter and family.