Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-04

The Many Uses to Which Friend Of
Man May Be Put.

From the London Evening Standard.
A very interesting show Of draught
dogs has just been held at the Brussels
exhibition. where over a hundred animals
awaited tiss judges. the other four hum
dred entered being kept at home by the
exigencies Of their business. the convey
ance Of milk. vegetables. fruit. laundry
work. bread and small joints. which is
just now at its height.
The Belgian dogs earned Tor their coun-
try In one year E1.s01OOO, according to
statistics taken ten years ago. This was
at the rate OF a franc a day. the dogs at
that time employed numbering 15D.OOl
These figures must have increased great
ly. for it was then that the Club of the
Belgian Draught Dog was formed, with
Compile de Wommerson as president who
with NJ. Reoul Zootechme, professor or
the State Veterinary School. was charged
on the subject, with the result that the
class OF dog to be used, as well as his
treatment in all it's branches. was placed
under police control.
Clubs and syndicates were formed all
over the country to revive an old breed
Of Belgian dog known as q "matin."
which Is tall. strong. OF smooth, short
hair and extremely muscular and shows
have been frequently held to encourage
better food and treatment, much like the
donkey shows held In England. The dog
replaces the donkey in Belgium. which Is
seldom seen. for the former costs less to
keep and to shelter and serves as a guard
for house and goods.
A splendid class of dog Is now becoming
general. which not only renders untold
services In time Of peace. but Is to be
enlisted in time OF war; for a group OF
French officers were present at the Brus-
sells show expressly to watch the weight
tests with a view to the use of dogs TO
transport ammunition to outlying COM
panies. the smaller carts being less likely
to be seen by the enemy than service
wagons. Moreover. It would allow of an
easier distribution of ammunition while
dog carts could travel quicker and over
roads impossible for horses or motor
cars.
For drawing filters for the wounded
they again promise to be useful both on
battlefields and In first aid in streets.
They would also aid scouting, since they
serve the customs officers who guard the
frontiers by helping them TO attain a
speed in running after offenders Che man
being actually towed by the dog. which
he holds by stout chain. and TO scale
difficult and fatiguing heights.
At the Brussels show the dogs were
first judged for points. the requirements
strength They were divided. roughly
speaking, into two classes, the lighter
dogs OF great speed being for use in nat.
level districts. and the stronger heavier
dogs 1OT nlIly. mountainous nelgnDOr-
hoods It has been argued that the dog
is not suited for traction owing to the
make OF his feet. but against that is
placed the argument that many thou
sands of human beings go barefoot.
It is evident that IL is not to an own
er's advantage to ili-treat or overwork
the dog which Is his breadwinner and
costs q good deal TO buy. While most OF
those shown were marked mot for sale. =
the price of n good full-grown dog may
run UP to go and over In color they
are brown to fawn and black. and II is
against the law to use any dogs for
traction (such as poodles. etc.. except OF
the class prescribed.
The demonstrations OF the traction pow
ground chosen being sandy. uneven and
two classes for males and females, a
light cart being loaded with sacks to diff
| ferent weights. With oS5 kilos (6c1
pounds) most OF the dogs entered did the
| test easily, at 100 kilos t7O4 pounds) sew.
! eral accomplished II. while Due a fine
black dog. four years old. who. unlike
many Of. the competitors, could boast nc
| pedigree took the load around with ease
barking defiance at q rival as he ran.
Dogs have drawn over ten hundred.
weight and the champion. Dragon III
who was absent through a foreign en-
gagement. has a record OF fourteen hun.
dredweight or more than twice as much
as Dues record. II must be remembered
/ that in the ordinary way the owner help.
| the dog by pushing the cart when 8
heavy load Il carried. but this was moi
permitted at the show.