DOGS, AND THEIR CHAHACTERISTICS. 356 



CHAPTER XXXVL 



DOGS, AND THBIE CHAEACTBBISTICS. 



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 



