Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-09-14
DOGS IN PEACE AND WAR.
Uses to Which They May Be Put
Shown at Belgian Exhibition.

Uses to Which They May Be Put
Shown at Belgian Exhibition.
A very interesting show of draught
dogs has just been held at the Brus-
sells exhibition, where over a hundred
animals awaited the judges, the other
400 entered being kept at home by the
exigencies of their business, the con-
veyance of milk, vegetables. fruit,
laundry work, bread and small joints,
which Is just now at it's height.
The Belgian dogs earned for their
country in one year G1,S00,000, accord
ing to statistics taken ten years ago.
This was at the rate of franc day,
the dogs at that time employed num-
bering 10000. These figures must have
increased greatly, says the London
Evening Standard, for it was then that
the club of the Belgian Draught Dog
was formed, with Comte de Wommer-
son as president, who with M. Reoul
Zootechnic, professor of the state veter-
mary school, was charged by the gov
ernment to draw up a report on the
subject, with the result that the class
of dog 10 be used as well as his treat
ment 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 a 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.
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
group of French officers were present
at the Brussels show expressly to
the use of dogs to transport ammuni-
tion to outlying companies, the small
er carts being less likely to be seen by
the enemy than service wagons. More
tribution of ammunition, while dog
carts could travel quicker and over
roads impossible for horses or motor
cars.
For the use of drawing litters for the
wounded they again promise to be use
full both on battlefields and in first aid
i'm streets. They would also aid scout
ing since they serve the customs Off
GERS who guard the frontiers by helping
them to attain a speed in running af-
ter offenders the man being actually
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 flat, level districts, and the
stronger heavier dogs for hilly, noun
famous neighborhoods. 1t 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.
1t is evident that it is not to an
owners advantage to ill treat or over
work the dog, which is his breadwin-
ner and costs a good deal to buy.
While most of those shown yesterday
were marked mot for SALE" the price
of good full grown dog may run up
To eco 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 surprs-
ing. the ground chosen being sandy,
uneven and rough. with a slight rise.
There were two classes for males and
females, light cart being loaded with
sacks to different weights. With 2S5
kilos (G27 pounds) most of the dogs
entered did the test easily, at $50 kilos
GOA 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 drawn over 10 hundred
weight, and the champion, Dragon
ILL.,, who was absent through foreign
engagement. has record of IA hum
drcdweight, or more than twice as
much as Dues record. 1t must he re-
mcmbcrcd that i'm the ordinary way the
owner helps the dog 10y pushing the
cart when a heavy load is carried, but
this was not permitted at the show.
The ObIiging Clerk.
1t was an overcast, indeterminate