Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-30
A DOGS VOCABULARY.
Pet Dogs Have a Larger Vocabulary
Than Any Other Kind. -

From the New Orleans Times Democrat
How many words are there In the vo-
cabulary Of the average dog?" asked the
man who takes considerable interest in the
canine tribe, and more particularly in that
class Of dogs having some training. Here
Is a question no man can answer certainly,
and yet believe we may get within rea-
sonable range of the truth by little refec-
ton. Pet dogs, as rule, have a much
larger vocabulary than any other kind.
Trained dogs, the kind we find with circuses
and on the stage. probably come second.
and the others are ranged along according
to the lives they lead. Dogs learn words
much more rapidly than we suppose. In
the first place, this animal Is an awfully
close observer. Hearing a sound repeatedly
1t soon learns to associate 1t with certain
object Take the well-trained hound for
instance, and he soon learns what is meant
by gun, shoot, hunt, deer. fox, chase, and
80 on. Experienced hunters can furnish
many evidences of the understanding of
dogs when 1t comes to the words and
phrases most frequently used in connection
with the sport.
"Of course, all dogs become familiar with
the commands used In directing them dur
ing the hunt and under other circumstances
A pretty example Of this fact Is found in
the ease and accuracy with which pointers
and settlers do their work on the field
While 1t cannot be claimed for hunting
dogs that they have a very extensive vo-
CaDuldfy lney understand enough words to
go about their work intelligently, and at
times with precision that is little less than
marvellous. Pet dogs. poodles fox terriers
and animals Of this kind have a more ex-
tensive vocabulary. An Illustration of this
Is found In a fox terrier belonging to Man
ager Bray Of the Orpheum Theater, a ter
rier OF royal lineage. having come from the
kings kennels at Budapest. Few words in
common use around .ne house are beyond
the understanding of this pet of Manager
Bray and his wife. The pet knows the
name Of every article of furniture and
clothing in the house.
IA few evenings ago test was made for
the purpose of determining the accuracy
Of the terriers understanding of words I
want you to walk on your hind feet to the
front room and bite Mr.. Bray on the ear
said member OF the household to the pet.
Forthwith the terrier was off, and before
Mr.. Bray knew anything about the plan
the pet dog was playfully pulling at his ear.
Here was rather intricate command. 1t
was not simply a command to go. It said
how to go, where to go, what to do and to
whom. But the terrier understood perfect
ly. Now here is a dog having an extraor-
binary vocabulary, understanding no doubt
no less than go words. This one case will
show that the pet dog has a wider under
standing Of words than dogs belonging to
any other class. and there is a reason for
It, of course. They are talked to all the
time, and naturally learn to associate GER
tain sounds with certain objects. 1t would
be interesting to know what the average
to see some expert take the matter up for
the purpose Of determining more definitely
just how many words dogs definitely I'M
derStand"