Dogs as home companions

Much depends upon the environment of the prospective dog owner, as to what breed he may satisfactorily adopt for his home. Dwellers in city flats or those living where yard room is circumscribed by narrow limits, could not think of a St. Bernard, a Great Dane, a bloodhound, or, even the medium-sized breeds, consequently it becomes manifest that he must make his choice from among the toys or smaller varieties. Suburbanites and others living on country places, on the other hand, may prefer a more serviceable-looking dog than the diminutive, but alert specimens that come under the head of toys, consequently, to aid the novice in making his selection of a suitable canine home companion, I have classified the most popular breeds in groups according to their size and general characteristics.

Pre-eminent among the small varieties is the fashionable Pekingese. He is, in the strict classification a toy, it is true. The reader may sneer at the word “toy” and fancy that the Peke, as he is popularly called, is as useless and difficult to rear as the proverbial hot-house plant, but such is not the case. He is a hard, strong, easy-to-raise animal, and one of the gamest for his inches of any breed in existence. His shaggy mane, resembling that of a lion, his dark markings about muzzle and eyes, and his tawny coat, together with his sturdy frame, suggest a big little dog, and he is all of that. He makes an excellent watch dog, because he is always keen and alert and the slightest noise day or night will cause him to give the signal by his loud and rather raucous bark. There is something formidable looking about the Peke as he approaches the stranger, who dares invade the sacred precincts of his mistress or master, and as an alarm there are few small dogs that are superior.

The Pekingese sprang into popularity within the last twenty years, though he is said to be one of the oldest of Chinese breeds, from which country he was introduced into England and then to America where he soon became the vogue, and some of the wealthy people of the East paid almost fabulous figures for good specimens. While prices are now more within reason for good specimens, the Peke cannot be classed as a “poor man’s dog,” although it is possible, nowadays, to go to some of the kennels making this breed a specialty and buy a “waster” at a reasonable figure. By waster is meant a specimen that, while true to his blood characteristics and in every sense as well bred as the winners, is not good enough to win on the bench. The person buying a Peke for a companion only, however, will get as much satisfaction in owning a well-bred non-winner as he probably would if he had a great champion. At the present time the fancy is breeding them as small as possible and the larger ones are not in as great demand, though they often come weighing as high as eighteen pounds when matured. The novice dog-owner would not find a fifteen to eighteen-pound Pekingese objectionable, however, for a house dog, though as a show performer he would likely be unnoticed. As a matter of fact, the fancy is now breeding them so small that their usefulness as a house dog is practically bred away. In buying specimens of this breed for house companions I would suggest one going over the ten-pound weight. First because breeders will always gladly dispose of those that “come large” at a more reasonable figure, and secondly because they are more hardy and useful. It is the under ten-pound weight specimens that are the show dogs, and the smaller the better, it seems.

The Pomeranian is another dog which came into popularity within the past quarter of a century and is a close second to the Peke as a show dog today. The Pomeranian is a smaller edition of the old-time white Spitz dogs which were so popular about forty or fifty years ago. In breeding them down to the present size I have my doubts of the good that was accomplished, though there is no gainsaying the fact that a good Pomeranian of the very small type is a “foxy” specimen in the show ring. They come in all colors; black, sable white, blue mottled and in fact, in any shade imaginable. Indeed it has been said that the fashionable thing nowadays for ladies is to have a Pom of every shade to match their gowns, though this is somewhat overdrawn, notwithstanding the numerous colors to be obtained.

The novice, buying a Pom for a companion only, and not for show, will be able to secure one of the larger specimens at a reasonable price much more readily than he would the very small ones, for, as in the case of the Pekes, the smaller the dog the better the show specimen, though naturally the animal must possess show points. “Foxy” in appearance describes the Pomeranian to a nicety. With full, fluffy coat, bushy tail, carried over an extremely short back, sharp nose, snappy, small black eyes and an erect ear, he is in every sense of the word a dog with a fox-like expression. At shows they are usually classified as dogs not exceeding eight pounds and those over this weight, though the larger the dog, the less chances he has of winning. For utility purposes, the overweight dogs will answer as well, if not better than the extremely small show specimens. Pomeranians, if properly reared, after once attaining maturity are usually hardy.

The English Toy Spaniel, though a very handsome, long-coated animal, is not quite so popular as the two foregoing breeds, but they are as easily reared, provided they do not come from stock that has been pampered by generations of coddling. The breed is divided into four varieties: the Blenheim, or white and orange; the Prince Charles, or tri-color (white, black and tan); the ruby, or red; and the King Charles, or black and tan. All are equally handsome, but as a rule they are not as alert, or active, nor do I think as intelligent, as some of the other breeds, though there are exceptions and I have seen specimens of these varieties, reared in out-door kennels and accustomed to exercising in the open, winter and summer, that proved to be hardy and as active as a sporting spaniel. This is the exception rather than the rule, however, for many specimens will be encountered that are very poor movers.

The Japanese Spaniel at one time gave indications of becoming a very popular toy breed, but was superseded by the Pekes and Poms. No doubt much of this was due to the fact that the Japs are not a particularly hardy breed, they are more of the real lap-dog genus than most any of the toy varieties; they lack in action and seem to be well content to lie in a basket of silk cushions most of their lives, or preferably in the laps of their fond mistresses. In appearance they resemble somewhat the English Toy Spaniels, though less sprightly, as a general thing. The Jap carries his tail or plume over his back while that of the toy spaniel is docked. The color, according to the standard, may be black and white, red and white, or parti-colored. The term red in this instance includes all shades of sable, brindle, lemon and orange, but the brighter the colors the more desirable the specimen. The white ground should be a pure chalk white, not of the milky or creamy color often seen in other breeds. At large shows the classification is divided under seven pounds and over seven pounds, and it may be readily observed that a Japanese spaniel under seven pounds will not make a very formidable guardian of the home.

The Toy Poodle, while never taking the dog-world by storm, has held his own for many years. He is a very active dog, inclined to be cross and snappy very frequently, and therefore an uncertain equation with children, but he is very keen and the slightest noise will attract his attention. The standard calls for dogs under ten pounds in weight for the toy varieties, though there is a large poodle, which, however, does not come within the scope of this group. The toy poodle, while not as hardy as some breeds, can nevertheless stand considerable hardships and when he is reared like his larger brethren and not petted and pampered until health and vitality are gone, he is an easy dog to keep. The greatest objection some have to him is, that because his coat is white he is difficult to care for, which to a certain extent, is the truth. His coat should be curly, but wiry in texture. In action the dog is quick, proud and graceful.

The Italian Greyhound is another old breed; in fact he is one of the oldest among the toys. He is in every sense of the word, a miniature greyhound and good specimens are extremely graceful. Because of his short coat and his generally slight appearance he is a dog that will not permit of much exposure, though those who breed them say that the Italian greyhound will stand the cold and the inclement winter of the north as well as any of the toy breeds, which statement is rather doubtful. For a clean, neat dog about the house, however, he is very commendable. In the matter of intelligence he does not grade up with some of the other varieties described, although he is very alert and watchful.

The Toy Black and Tan Terrier is another breed that is rather difficult to rear, although his short black and tan soft coat commends him as an indoor dog, for he is clean at all times and only a slight brushing once a day will keep him in condition. They have been breeding this variety so small that most of the specimens seen at the present time, have become apple-headed and they are as lacking in intelligence as they are in appearance. However, a black and tan weighing over ten pounds makes an excellent dog, many of them becoming keen ratters, though it is to be understood that the small ones would not do for that purpose. Personally, if I wished to have a black and tan at all, I should take the Manchester, of which the toy black and tan is a miniature. The breed is not very popular in this country or England at the present time.

Among the toy terrier varieties must be included also, the Yorkshire, the Maltese and the kindred varieties. These are very pretty specimens for the fancier of oddities, but they require untold care to keep them in condition, both as to coat and flesh, hence the time spent upon them as house companions is scarcely worth the returns that one obtains.

The Brussel Griffon is another foreign dog that seemed to evoke considerable interest some years ago, but this breed also is an oddity. He is a monkey-faced, hard-coated dog with the pronounced whisker and the general wire appearance of broken-coated terriers. His weight ranges to nine pounds as the maximum for “big” dogs, while for the smaller varieties, it is six pounds. It may readily be seen from this that the breed is more ornamental than useful, but a livelier, more active little dog cannot be imagined than this diminutive griffon whose place of origin is said to be Belgium.

Another Belgian dog is the Schippercke, a terrier-like animal of about ten pounds in weight. Very fiery and quick to take offense, he is not a suitable dog for children, but as a watch dog he will give the alarm at the slightest noise; furthermore, he is not averse to backing up his bark with his bite. He is a very faithful dog, and once he becomes attached to one person or a family, he will remain faithful unto death. That is one of the features that appeals to most of us and one is apt to forgive his shortcomings. Very few kennels are now breeding this variety in America. The dog is black in color, with a wiry-like coat, and a well pronounced mane. His nose is sharp, his eyes small and black and his ears erect. The dog is a tailless variety; although only a small percentage of the puppies are born with this mutilation. The others have their tails removed, or gouged out when they are quite young, in fact this should be done before they leave their dam. In selecting a puppy it is well to take one with not a show of white hair and see that the ears are small, the back short, the coat dense, the eyes well set, and showing that “foxy” expression which is so characteristic of this breed and the Pomeranian.

The Pug, once a very popular breed, has now practically gone out of vogue, although indications point to its resuscitation. The breed, speaking in broad terms, is not a particularly intelligent one, though the dog’s short coat, his cleanly habits, and his generally odd appearance stamped him one of the favorites of three decades ago, and it is possible that he may return to favor once more.