DOGS, AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. OOO 
CHAPTER XXXVI. 
DOGS, AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 
CANINE character is mostly the result of education. 
While it may be in part inherited, yet, let the blue 
blood become estranged from, or deprived of, refining 
influences, and his life is barren of good actions. In- 
stead of becoming what he might if properly raised, he 
seeks the companionship of the lowest of his race, and 
degenerates into a sheep-stealer, a scavenger of the 
alley, one who sleeps by day, and whose nocturnal wan- 
derings are conducive of no good. While excellent 
traits of character may have been inherited by him, it 
requires the most careful attention to develop them, 
and to bring them out of their crude state; for the 
natural disposition of the dog will assert itself, and 
human kindness, ingenuity and force, are the only 
means that will disclose what there is in him, and edu- 
cate him properly. This being the case, the man must 
be the teacher, and the dog becomes what is made 
of him. What that may be, depends on the character, 
temper and patience of the man. Dogs are like chil- 
dren; in their young minds they receive early impres- 
sions. If those impressions are for good, they are the 
guide which directs their after life, and as months are 
added to their young lives, and they receive from their 
master kindness, patience and generous forgiveness of 
their childish pranks, the mild overlooking of their 
