154 British War Dogs 



did not consider it necessary to obstruct anyone who had 

 no evil intent, and who had every right to be there. Give 

 this same dog its bit of territory to protect, and its attitude 

 towards the stranger will be very different and " Halt ' 

 will be the meaning conveyed in no uncertain manner. 



Endurance 



This necessary qualification in the War Dog, really 

 results in a combination of the previous qualities, and 

 can only be reached when the training has proceeded so far, 

 as to have taught the dog that its work is very much worth 

 while. That a very high standard of endurance was 

 reached by the messenger dog on the battlefield, is proved 

 by the description of their work under conditions and 

 temptations, that were frequently very trying. 



The Homing Instinct 



This subject is of such importance, in regard to the 

 training of messenger dogs, that I have devoted a special 

 chapter to it. 



This chapter on Instinct should also include a few 

 remarks on the reasoning powers of the dogs. This 

 question of reason in dogs, takes its starting-point 

 from the recognition of the before-mentioned qualities 

 of soul. Unless these qualities are admitted, it will be 

 difficult for anyone to develop in a really satisfactory 

 manner the reasoning powers, and, finally, that which 

 follows as a natural result, namely, the cultivation of all 

 the senses with which the dog is gifted to a high degree. 

 These senses are guided and controlled by the higher 

 instincts, and must be reached, therefore, primarily through 



