The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-09-27

numbering 100000. These figures must
have increased greatly, says the Lon-
don Evening Standard, for it was then
that the club Of the Belgian Draught
dog was formed, with Comte de Wom-
merson as president, who with NJ.
Reoul Zottechnic, professor Of the
State veterinary school, was charged
by the government to draw up a re-
port on the subject, with the result
that the class Of dog to be used as we'll
as his treatment In all it's brancheQ
was placed under police control. :
Clubs and syndicates were formed
all over the countr yto revive an old
breed of Belgian dog known as "ma+
tin,'' which is tall, strong, Of smooth.
short hair and extremely muscular;
and shows have been frequently held
to encourage better food and treat
ment, much like the donkey shows held
in England. The dog replaces the dom
key 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 be-
coming 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 Brussels show expressly to
watch the weight tests with view to
the use Of dogs to transport ammunt-
ton to outlying companies, the small
er carts being less likely to be seen by
the enemy than service wagons. More
over, it would allow of an easier dis
tribution Of ammunition, while dog
carts could travel quicker and over
roads impossible for horses or motor
cars. .EG III
For the. use of drawing litters for tho
wounded they again promise to be use
full both on battlefelds and in first aid
In streets. They would also aid scout
ing since they serve the customs off,
GERS who guard the frontiers by help
ing them to attain q speed in running
after offenders (the man being actual
ly towed by the dog, whom he holds BY
stout chain), and to scale difficult
and fatiguing heights.
At the Brussels show the dogs were
first judged for points, the require
ments being a compact build, with
great strength. They were divided,
roughly speaking, into two classes,
the lighter dogs of great speed being
for use in fiat, level districts, and the
stronger, heavier dogs for hilly, noun
famous neighborhoods. 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 argu-
ment that many thousands Of human
beings go barefoot.
It is evident that it is not to an
owners advantage to i'll treat or over
work the dog, which is his breadwin-
ner and costs good deal to buy. While
most of those shown yesterday were
marked mot for sale," the price of a
good, full grown dog may run up to
20 pounds and over. In color they are
brown to fawn and black, and It Is
against the law to use any dogs for
traction (such as poodles, etc., ex-
cept Of the class prescribed.
The demonstrations Of the traction
powers Of the dog were very surpris-
ing, the ground chosen being sandy,
uneven and rough, with a slight rise.
There were two classes for males and
females, a light cart being loaded with
sacks to different weights. With 2S5
kilos (627 pounds) most Of the dogs
entered did the test easily, at 320 kilos
e pounds) several accomplished it,
while Due, fine black dog, four years
old, who, unlike many Of the competi-
tors, could boast no pedigree, took the
load around with ease, barking def
ance at a rival as he ran.
Dogs have drawr. over 1c hi ndred-
weight and the champion, Dragon H..
who was absent through a foreign en-
gagement, has a record Of II Lundred-
weight, or more than twice as much
a, Dues record. 1t must be remem-
bered that in the ordinary way thu
owner helps the dog by pushing the
cart when q heavy load is carried, but