Selecting Middle Sized Dogs

Information on selecting Middle Sized Dogs. Poodles, Collies, Beagles and other pets in the mid-size range for a dog.

Selecting Middle-Sized Dogs

It is impossible to draw exact lines of division in a race which ranges from four inches to thirty-four in height, with representatives at every inch between. The large ones shade into the middle-sized ones so gradually that the collie, for example, might with equal pro priety end the list of the one or begin that of the other. I place him among the middle sized because these intermediates between the giants and the toys are the most desirable for home dogs, in either city or country, and his qualities entitle him to take the lead.

Collie Dogs

The collie is a real dog, such as we love and remember from childhood, with characteris tics that make him invaluable in the family life. Intelligent above most of his race, saga cious, gentle, affectionate; adapting himself perfectly to the family ways, requiring little care in winter or summer, safe in all places and on all occasions, with no troublesome in clination to worry cats or other animals, he is really the ideal dog for a household. To be fashionable he should be black with white points, but he is one of the few with whom varieties in color may be indulged in without total loss of caste. He may wear tan with his black instead of white, if fate so decrees. His tail should be long, carried low, and turned upward at the end ; his coat straight, hard, and rather stiff, with an under coat thick and furry. The "ruff," which is one of his beauties, should be very full, but he must not, if he wishes to be perfect, show much " feather " on the legs none at all on the hinder pair.

He should have access to water, or, if in the city, be washed once a week in summer. One of the pleasantest recollections of a summer in the Berkshire Hills is of the f am iry collie cool ing himself by lying flat in the bed of a lively mountain brook till his thick coat was soaked through.

A little anecdote of a collie will illustrate the character of the family better than any thing I could say. The story is vouched for as true, and the incident occurred nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, in the early days of our nation during the French and Indian war, in fact.

The dog was a great pet in the family of a colonial soldier, and was particularly noted for his antipathy to Indians, whom he delighted to track. On one campaign against the French the dog insisted on accompanying his master, although his feet were in a terrible condition from having been frozen the pre ceding winter. During the fight which ended in the famous Braddock defeat, the collie was beside his beloved master ; but when it was over they had become separated, and the soldier, concluding his pet had been killed, went home without him. Some weeks later, however, the dog appeared in his old home, separated from the battle-field by many miles and thick forests. He was tired and worn, but over his sore feet were fastened neat moc casins, showing that he had been among Ind ians who had been kind to him. Moreover, he soon showed that he had changed his mind about his former foe, for neither bribes nor threats could ever again induce him to track an Indian. His generous nature could not forget a kindness, even to please those he loved enough to seek under so great difficul ties.

While the collie is good in doors and out, as a parlor pet or a general care-taker on a farm, the poodle is fit only for the house. One can hardly imagine one of these shaven and shorn artificial products of fashion living out of-doors with other dogs. As regards the beauty of the poodle, there is room for a wide difference of opinion. One who thinks that Nature knows how to form and decorate her dogs will not admire the elaborate shaving in patterns, after diagrams laid down in a book, the "bracelets" standing out like a stiff clothes-brush, the broornlike feet, the musta chios, and other grotesque ornaments of the fashionable poodle. Happily he's a sunny tempered fellow, and submits to the caprices of fashion with a better grace than many dogs would. He is one of the most intelligent of the race, the chosen trick dog, and more ready to learn than any other. He is also a remark able swimmer and keen of scent, but full of mischief and pranks.

Poodle Dogs

Three kinds of poodles are familiar to us in America the German, the French, and the barbet. The first named is the largest, and usually solid black or white, though he some times has a white star on the breast, or a white toe or two. His coat is long, coarse, and almost wiry, with a strong tendency to work itself into strings or " cords," as tech nically called not bigger than a large twine. These cords should be all over the body ex cept about the face, and the longer the better. To leave no part of his body untouched, this victim of man's desire to improve upon nat ure has part of his tail cut off.

The French poodle differs in some respects from his German brother. He is a little smaller, and his thick and woolly coat tends to curl rather than to cord. The barbet is the dwarf of the family, being not more than eight or ten inches high, covered with snow white ringlets. He is a bright, active little fellow, fond of fun, and quick to learn tricks. The barbet is said not to be so amiable as could be desired ; in fact, apt to be somewhat snappish.

All poodles require much care to keep their peculiar coats in order. They cannot be combed, and they must not be scratched. If the owner of a handsome curled or corded coat is not content to suffer in order to be beautiful, if he will scratch, he must be clad in mittens, and if his ear is the point of attack, a cap must be added to make certain that he does not injure the hair. It is only common humanity that the greatest care should be taken to keep him free from fleas, so that he will not wish to scratch.

Other Middle-sized Dogs

The dachshund and the beagle, two small hounds, may be kept in the city, but it is I'm perative that they have plenty of exercise. The former has one quality that makes him troublesome in town a ruling passion for fight. Walking the streets with his mistress, he will pick a quarrel with every dog he meets, from a mastiff to a toy terrier. More over, he is a dog of ideas and independence ; he will mind if the command meets his ap proval, not otherwise. He is said also to be exceedingly destructive to garments and furs, which he tears to pieces. He is not a beauty, having a long body and very short bandy legs ; but he is valuable, almost priceless, say his admirers.

If one race was especially formed for the city house-dog, it could not meet the demand better than the spaniels. All of them are vivacious, full of amusing tricks, affectionate, good watch-dogs, and delightful playmates. Even the water-spaniel will flourish and be happy in a city house if he is taken to the water now and then.

For a city house the cocker spaniel has per haps the greatest number of friends. He has all the virtues of his race intelligence, fidel ity, good temper, and attachment to people ; he is an excellent playfellow for children, and the best of watch-dogs. Moreover, he is less noisy than many of his kind, and suffers less from confinement in a house ; for while he is very lively and perfectly happy out-of-doors, he also enjoys the comfort of lying about the house. He is especially interested in the pan orama of life in the streets, which he will watch from a window with great eagerness.

This little fellow seems more nearly human than most dogs, being very self-respecting, and painfully sensitive to ridicule or harsh ness. He should be treated with justice and dignity, and never scolded or struck. In addition to all this, he is one of the handsomest of our four-footed pets, whether he is liver colored, with or without white, or white and black. His weight should be about twelve pounds, his legs not too long, but well " feath ered," and it is the fashion to cut his tail. He has a beautiful head, and bright, intelli gent eyes. No one who selects a cocker span iel for a pet will be apt to regret it.

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