The suburban citizen., 1901-03-23
CHIVALRY AMONG DOGS
THEY ARE THE MOST USEFUL CON.
GUEST EVER MADE BY MAN.


Some Notable Instances,
In some respects the distinction be-
tween man and brute is clearly drawn;
in others 1t is far less marked than in
our colossal but unconscious self-con-
ceit we are disposed to admit No one,
for example, would expect to see
dog make fair exchange of a bone
with another dog, any more than he
would expect to see him build house
or a locomotive. Yet, If he has not the
trading instinct we cannot deny him
the possession in eminent degree Of
such faculties as memory and obser-
walton, Of such virtues as courage, af-
fection, loyalty and falthfulness. But
dogs have even another attribute; they
are chyalric to a high degree. In this
quality is not included merely the
sense of guardianship over the family,
of devotion to the young, of loyalty to
the herd, such as nearly all animals
possess. True, there are some which
devour or destroy their young or the
young Of other species, but these in
stances are rare, and are never found
in nobler animals, among which there
seems to be an unwrltten law that i'm
munity is one of the rights of infancy
and childhood Thus a dog that will
eagerly chase a COW or a sheep will
never molest a blind kitten or a very
young rabbit.
A dog that will fight and probably
thrash any large animal which tres
passes on his domain will flee as IL in
terror at the sight Of young puppy or
kitten, and il held by the collar while
the sprawling and whining object is
presented to him will shrink and
whmper as though a blazing torch
were thrust in his face. 1t may be
said that the feelings Of big dog un.
der such circumstances are similar to
those Of bachelor when called on to
hold baby, but unquestionably there
is something more than this, for the
young of others are considered as ta-
boo, and if flown at for approaching
by chance too near nest Of puppies
no self-respecting dog will resist or re-
taliate. Yet even the most dignifed
and battle-srarred mastiff or hound,
while thus avoiding all appearance Of
evil, will when the puppy is a few
weeks old allow him to yelp in his
face, to pull his ears and tumble all
over his body. Not only will he tolerate
such liberties, but will enter into the
sport, taking the puppy's head into his
mouth or placing him gently on the
ground with a touch OF his paw. Pup
pies are always privileged characters
in the canine world. When young they
are left strictly to their parents, and
when able to run they are petted and
tolerated, no matter where they may
enter OF what they may do.
Even kittens, though the offspring
of their natural enemies, have been
befriended and brought up by dogs,
Among other instances it is related Of
a fox terrier and a bull terrier that
they adopted q kitten of their own,
one found in a veranda Of house, and
became such friends that on coming
in at night they always INDUCED in a
game Of play, just as man returning
home might enjoy his children's hour.
Yet during the year or more that the
friendship lasted the dogs declared
war on all the grown eats in the neigh
.borhood. None but an ill-tempered
and ill-bred dog will attack the young
of other animals, and then rarely un-
less urged On by man.
AS to the dogs sense of obligation
to the young, especially Of his own
species, the evidence is conclusive.
Not only will he adopt and protect
young puppies but will teach them
manners and give them a canine edu-
cation until they arrive at the age Of
discretion. A bull terrier pup, for in
stance, has been adopted by an aged
and quarrelsome fox terrier. His
training consisted chiefly of sharp and
frequent corrections, which continued
until he was nearly twice the size of
his tutor Even then he would sub
NIT to what he thought was just and
reasonable in the way Of punishment,
but when this limit was reached he
would quietly and without indicting
pain lay his mentor on his back and
keep both paws on him until his indig-
nation had eyapOrated.
No dog OF size or courage will attack
a smaller or weaker one unless pro-
voked beyond endurance. OF this the
latter is perfectly aware, and hence
the smaller his size the more quarrel
some and abusive he is apt to be.
Some absolutely refuse to fight with
small or medium-siz dogs, or if they
do win merely knock them over and
hold them down with their paws This
also brings ridicule on the PROSTATE
cur, something that dogs seem to
dread as much as human beings.
No well-bred dog will fight with a
female unless compelled in self-de-
fense, though the latter does not hesi-
tate to attack those of opposite sex If
inferior in size or strength. Often
does yixenish female cause trouble
in a pack Of hounds, her cause being
championed by some chiyalrous male
and resulting in free fight In other
respects courtesy and respect is shown
to females, which are never backward