New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-25
DOGS FOR WORK AND WAR
Belgium Little Draft Animals
a Big National Asset.

" hlle IN many parts Of the world me
use Of dogs IS beasts Of burden is for
hidden by Law as cruel in Belgium their
employment is encourage under police
supervision. and the animals have become
4 national asset Of no mean proportions
Some years ago. when a census of draft
dogs was taken. it was found that there
were 1907 oO Of them and that their annual
earnings. At the rate Of a franc a day for
each. were about 100000 Having at
tanned to such importance. it is no wonder
that show devoted exclusively to them
and their interests was recently held at
the Brussels Exhibition.
Some years ago the Belgian Draft Dog
Club was formed. with Comte de Wom-
merson as president. who. with NJ Reoul
Zootechnic professor of the state Neteri-
nary School was charged by the govern
ment to draw up a report on the subject
with the result that the class of dog TO he
used, as well as his treatment in all it's
branches, was placed under police control
Clubs were formed all over the country TO
revive an old breed of Belgian dog known
as a ''matin." which is tall, strong, of
smooth short hair. and extremely muscu-
lar, and shows have been frequently held
to encourage better food and treatment.
much like the donkey shows in England.
The dog replaces the donkey. which is sell
dom seen in Belgium, for the former costs
less TO keep and 10 shelter. and serves as
guard for house and goods. lie is large
ly used for the conveyance of milk, vege-
tables. fruit, laundry work, bread and
meats
Writing from Brussels about the exhibit
ton. 4 correspondent of The London Tele-
graph says that a splendid class OF dog
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 We're present at
the 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
10 he seen by the enemy than service
wagons. Moreover. il would allow of an
easier distribution of ammunition, while
dogcarts 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 battle
fields and In first aid in streets. They
would also aid scouting. since they serve
the customs officers who guard the from
tiers by helping them 10 attain q speed in
running after offenders Uhe man being
actually towed by the dog. whom he holds
by stout chain, and TO scale difficult and
fatigUinE heights.
Speakin of the remarkable strength of
some of the animals The Telegraph $ OBJ
server says: The demonstrations of the
traction powers OF the dog were very sur
prising. the ground chosen being sandy. I'M
even and rough. with slight rise There
We're two classes fer males and females. a
light cart being loaded with sacks in diff
ferent weights. With 30 kilos t62I pounds
most of the dogs entered did the test easily,
al 500 kilos G04 pounds several accom-
pished it, while Duo, a fine black dog. four
years old. who. unlike many Of the COM
petitorS. could boast no pedigree, took tnc
load round with ease. barking defiance at
a rival as he ran. Dogs have drawn over
10 hundredweight. and the champion,
Dragon III tWho was absent through for
eisn enCaEementl. has a record of Il hun
dredWeight. more than twice As mucn
A Dues record II must be oered
that I'm the ordinary way the owner helps
the dog h. pushing the cart when heavy
load is carried, but this was not permitted