Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-18
OCCUPATION OF DOGS.
When Trained They Become Useful and
Profitable.
From the Chicago Chronicle.

From the Chicago Chronicle.
The most recent evidence of the "trans-
ferability" of dogs from complete idleness
to strenuous incident occurred on the Yukon
and other trails to Klondike. AS the gold
fever brought together all sorts and condi-
tons of men and set them to the toughest
jobs, in which all differences Of class were
sunk, SO the search for the yellow metal
brought together dogs OF all kinds. sizes
and occupations and set them all to work
hauling heavily laden sledges
No one cared much whether the individual
digger were NAVY, clerk an ex-acrobat
or storekeeper. But they were most par
ticular in inquring into the antecedents of
their dogs. and the value Of these was APP
praised usually in inverse ratio to their civ
ilization.
What was preferred was the half-savage
Indian dog, while the dog of civilization and
education was despised But in the end
many of these, even performing dogs,
proved their worth The result was that
the dogs of civilized man were soon in COM
petition with Indian 'huskies' and other
native teams.
One set of fine mongrels about the size of
large Scotch terriers, none of them weigh
ing more than forty pounds, drew a load Of
5000 pounds over the ice of Lake Bennett.
The sledge was always started for them.
but when once set in motion they kept 1t
moving. The owner, a half-breed. used to
follow behind and out of sight, encouraging
them by voice only and by a system of re-
wards.
As am animal of draft man was found to
be decidedly inferior to dog, though the men
pulled sledges without grumbling. A man
could draw his own weight and travel If
teen miles a day The dog would pull
load equivalent TO his own weight and
travel thirty miles day.
The dog language used was quaint. 1t
was mixture OF English and Canadian
French used by persons who mainly had
no idea what the latter meant but as they
heard the Canadian Indians use it they
adopted it. The order to. start was ma
chan" which, on analysis. was found to
stand for marche chen; The English
converted IL into march on!. 49,, -' '-t - :
1t is commonly believed that the spotted
carriage dogs were about the most useless
creatures Of the dog kind, maintained only
for show and fashion. This Is mistake
of aids in training spirited young carriage
horses. The horse constantly looks out for
the dog as it runs by it's side, pays attention
to it and is so much engaged in thinking OF
its stable companion. the dog, that il Is far
less nervous, fdgety and shy than when
taken out alone.
TTfe ancient and honorable dog industry
of sheep herding will probably be in full
vigor as long as mutton remains In demand.
On the great sheep ranges of the west, as
well as those Of Argentina. the dog plays
every year a more important part.
The Argentine method Is the more COM
plete, for by it the dog becomes part of the
flock. The puppies are sucked by eve.
and when grown up are fed only on vege-
table food and milk. for which they visit
the house, and having devoured II. rush
back to their flock, pursued by the farm
dogs. When they reach the fiock they seem
at once to gain courage, and turn on their
pursuers. They guard the sheep both night
and day, and also assist the shepherds to
drive them or collect them on the pastures:
In the mountain districts of Coloredo ana
in the far northern states sheep DOGS have
been imported from countries as far distant
ss New zealand. The most noted breed in
Colorado Is descended. from a pair OF these
dogs and their offspring have an inherited
gift of shepherding.