July, 1907 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



277 



the noble St. Bernard, who actually saved no less than forty 

 persons and then perished in the attempt to save the 

 forty-first. Similar instances are not rare. 



KING CHARLES SPANIELS 



When the descent of the dog from two species of wolf is 

 taken into consideration, his gradual development into the 

 intelligent type of to-day appears to be truly remarkable. No 

 one can study dogs without observing that they apparently 

 possess every mental if not moral faculty of man. Our own 

 aboriginal emotions, such as love, hate, jealousy, irritability, 

 sulkiness, shyness, shame and guilt are clearly expressed in 

 their faces. 



But their good qualities always outshine their bad and 

 more trustworthy and sympathizing companions can not 

 be found anywhere. They seem to comprehend everything 

 that transpires. Small wonder, then, that dogs are more 

 highly esteemed to-day than ever before in the history of 

 the world. 



It is interesting to note, in passing, as it were, that the 

 dog is the only animal that dreams, and that he and the 

 elephant are the only animals that understand looks and 

 expressions. 



In the selection of a dog of course many things are to be 

 considered. And the choice is not always easy, particularly 

 when one is a lover of various breeds and has no strongly 

 expressed predilection. But even when one can readily tell 

 which sort one likes best, partiality should be tempered with 

 judgment. The purchaser should not be 

 carried away, for instance, by the pre- 

 vailing fashion in dogs and allow him- 

 self to be induced to acquire a canine that 

 is not adapted to his wants. In the 

 United States, at present, the collie is the 

 most popular breed, and some people 

 seem to labor under the delusion that he 

 may be kept under any circumstances 

 and yet thrive. But these persons evi- 

 dently forget that the collie is accus- 

 tomed to a great deal of exercise in his 

 native state and can not be expected to 

 remain in prime condition when he is 

 closely confined. One of the most beau- 



tiful collies I ever saw was consigned to an 

 early grave, because he was kept shut up in 

 the house and not permitted to romp. How 

 that pof)r dog would have reveled in freedom ! 



While I have no hesitation in conceding the 

 beauty of the rough-coated collie, I must confess 

 that I have often wondered why the smooth-coated 

 one is not bred more extensively in this country, 

 for this dog possesses all of the good qualities pertaining to 

 his breed. He is preferable to his long-haired brother, 

 moreover, because he does not bring so much mud into the 

 house and does not have to be brushed occasionally to keep 



his hair from matting. 

 This, by the way, is an 

 advantage presented 

 by all short-haired 

 dogs, and should 

 be remembered 

 whenever a canine 

 for the house is to 

 be selected. 



After deciding 

 upon the breed that 

 is best adapted to his 

 wants, the prospective 

 purchaser should endeavor 

 to procure the purest strain 

 of the species he fancies. 

 M any persons are inclined 

 to scoff at the pedigrees of dogdom aristocrats, but 

 It is certainly easier to find purchasers for either the 

 origmals or their progeny when particulars and 

 references can be given, to say nothing of the prizes 

 that may be captured at dog shows. Incidentally 

 it may not be amiss to mention the fact that in 

 numerous instances these prizes have more than 

 paid for valuable animals, thus justifying the judg- 

 ment of their owners. 



The choice of a dog is greatly facilitated if the 

 purpose for which he is intended is clearly borne 

 in mind. Not being employed in securing game, a 

 watch or house-dog, for ex- 

 ample, is hardly required 

 to have either 

 scenting powers 

 the conformation 

 necessary f o r 

 speed and en- 

 durance found 

 in h u n t i n g 

 dogs, but in 

 the larger 

 breeds should 



\IKED 



TERRIER 



A BUSHEL OF BULL TEKRIEUS 



POODLE 



be adapted for an attack on 

 instruders and in the smaller 

 show a disposition and intelli- 

 gence fitted for the guard- 

 ing of persons and property. 

 Among the large breeds I 



