The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-02-05
vocABULARIEs OF DOCS.
A Terrier That la believed 10 Knsw
$50 words, as Afany ~ some
Men Have.

~" AheA9 "oAue are theFe IN I'M
vocabulary of the averagedog?" aslxes
the man who takes considerable inter
est In the canine tribe, and more par
ticularly In that class OF dogs hayins
some training, reports the New Or
leans Times-Democrat. Here II 4
question no man can answer certainly
and yet believe you may get within a
reasonable range Of the truth by lit
Tie reflection. Pet dogs as a rule have
much larger vocabulary than any
other kind. Trained dogs, the kind we
find with cireuses and on the stage.
probably come second, and the others
are ranged along according 10 the lives
they lead. Dogs learn words much
more rapidly than we suppose. In
the first place, this animal Is an aw-
fully close observer. Hearing a sound
repeatediyitEoonlearns to associate Il
with certain object. Take the we'll
trained hound, for instance. and he
soon learns what is meant by gun.
shoot, hunt, deer, fox, chase, and 40
on. Experienced hunters can furnish
many evidences Of the understanding
OF dogs when II 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 during the hunt, and under other
circumstances. A pretty example of
this fact is found In the ease and ac-
curacy with which pointers and set
ters do their work on the field. While
IL cannot be claimed for hunting dors
that they have q very extensive vo-
cabulary, they understand enough
words TO go about their work inteiii-
gently, and at times with precision
that Is little less than marvellous. Pet
dogs, poodles, fox terriers and animals
OF this kind have a more extensive vo-
cabulary. An illustration Of this Is
found In a fox terrier belonging 70
Manager Bray, Of the orpheum the
ater, a terrier Of royal lineage, hav-
ing come from the kings kennels at
Bnda-Pesth. Few words in common
use around the 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.
"A few evenings ago testwas made
for the purpose Of determining the
accuracy of the terriers understand
Ing OF words. I want you 70 walk on
yonr hind feet 70 the front room, and
bite Mr.. Bray on the ear said a mem
Der OF the household to the net.
Forthwith the terrier was on. and be.
fore Mr.. Bray knew anything about
the plan the pet dog was playfuiiv
pulling az his ear. Here was a rafh.
command. II was not simpiy
; command to go. II said how to 70.
where TO go, what 20 do. and 70 whom.
But the terrier understood perfeetlx
sow here Is 3 dog having an extraor.
iinary vocabulary, understanding. no
loubt, no less than ESQ words. This
me case viii show that the pet doc
las wider understanding OF words
han dogs belonging to any other class.
nd there Is a reason for II, OF course
hey are talked to all the time. and
Iaturally learn TO associate certain
onnds with certain objects II would
E interesting TO know what the aver
&c vocabulary Is among dogs, and
Iouid like TO see some expert take fhs {
natter up for thepurpose of determfn. !
ig more definitely Just how many !
'ords dogs definitely understand
"That reminds me Of another inter. !
sting thing IN connection with doe
fe,f said listener, "and that Is the !
ne sense of humor found in some !
ogs. Here, again, we have to turn 10
he pet dog as being the highest tyuo |
hnmorist, both In the matter az e
riginating and in appreeiating the 1
amorous things. am not speaking
the clownish dogs which we and on 4
ie stage. and with trained animal y
lows. Dogs Of this kind are trained y
n the purpose. and often pass q
trough these funny maneuvers with. o
II feeling. They do II indifferentlv, I
eehanically. spontaneity Is the y
icy element Of humor. like the 81
q that l. spontaneously funny. q
te the little prank, the little trick
some little Bit of foolish dog decen. a
IN that just bubbles out for The pure y
ort Of the thing, an act Of anus. al
& uegltry, something lauehably mis- ei
ievdds. Acts II this sort are IN. pi
itely more amusing than The more Il
mpleN performances Of trained dors u
We have a pet terrier at home who d
naturally dog humorist ~ the Mind ea
ave IN mind. The other aav h. was ~
the room with me. and was ID
etched out on the rug before the sil
E. lie heard nv wife coming down NJ
hall She vas singing. Like : in
n ne was up and made : break for
deer. through which my wife Of
uid enter. He was quiet about his "a
vsments' and was awfully careful Il.
% make the least noise. Hebulled %
nseif up IN as smmll bunch aa pos. ar
le and hid behind a parlor pillow %
ich was on the aoor near the door ar
M wife came singing through the e,
y he made wild. desperate piunoe II,