Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-04
Y Y

VIZ ASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. 31-The matter
wv of providing dogs for the use of the United
States forces in France has recently at
tracted an amount of attention among dog fancierS
and some other people which is rather dispropor-
tomato to the Importance attached to the matter
by the war department.
Senator Brady, of Idaho, is the chief exponent
in congress of the idea that fighting forces
should be provided with dogs, as those of most
of the other belligerents. He wrote to the war
department requesting that a model be drafted or
a bill which would provide for the acceptance by the
government of dogs offered by American citizens
for use in war. The reply stated that legisla-
ton regarding dogs was necessary as the war de-
partment had full authority to organize any auxil-
larry units needed for the army. Dogs will be pro-
vided for the fighting forces in France, provided
General Pershing desires the assistance of dogs"
I Hence the military future of the American dog
seems to be entirely in the hands of General Per
shing, but this has not abated the activities OF
those who interested in the subject in this
country. Senator Brady has introduced a bill
which provides a sum for the purchase of dogs to
be used in the army. Breeders of various kinds OF
dogs are urging the claims of their favorites.
strong effort has been MADE to bring to the atten-
tion of the government the merits OF the German
sheep dog, which is largely used in Germany for
police and military work. This movement Is
strongly opposed in some quarters, apparently on
the ground that many of these dogs are bred and
trained by Germans 1t is alleged that during the
Russo-Japanese war, the German government kind
ly furnished Russia with quota of military dogs.
together with trainers and that these trainers were
really military observers who obtained much In
formation that has been of to Germany in the
present war
The Airedale terrier, which has become very
popular dog in this country during the past few
years, is put forward by many dog fanciers as the
best variety available in numbers for military
work AS proof of its fitness is cited the fact that
the Germans use about many Airedales as they
do sheep dogs for military work. Germany is now
recruiting dogs for her army, much as Senator
Brady would have them recruited in this country
An advertisement inserted in government con-
trolled German paper asks owners OF dogs to
donate them free to the government. The dogs
must be from one to four years old, the advertise
ment states and must be Airedales, sheep dogs,
fox terriers or mongrels of these breeds They are
to be used as watchdogs for fighting forces in the
field and Twill make possible considerable light
ening of the latter's military duties. Those that
survive are to be returned to their owners free OF
cost.
The claims of all fanciers of thoroughbred dogs
are given rude shock by student or animal
psychology attached to the government hospital or
St Elizabeth's, who says that in his opinion COM
mon street ours will be found superior to any
thoroughbred variety for military work. He says
that the poundmasters in great cities can supply
the government with all the dogs 1t needs at very
low cost. He further urges that a number OF
camps be Immediately established for the purpose
of training dogs for the army. He states that In
the United States there are more men skilled IN