Living With Dogs by Dr Hugh Wirth Read Free Book Online

resolve the problem over and over again, to bring order out of chaos.
    Working dogs need the most exercise of all dogs and, put in a suburban situation, they should be walked at least five kilometres a day. Instinctively they’re always looking to move the sheep, and cattle, and if there is no stock in the back yard, they may want to play with a stick or tennis ball all day to satisfy their compulsion to work. Working people living in the city would be better suited to a more sedentary type of dog, like a Dachshund, Whippet, Poodle, Maltese or Shih Tzu.
    Working dogs bond strongly with humans, but they must be dominated by the human, and the rules must be adhered to rigidly. They are very loyal, and that loyalty is usually proportional to the boss dog’s dominance. They know their place, and they get frustrated if the rules aren’t set. The dog does the work and its reward is that the owner provides food and housing.
COLLIES
    Collies originate from the dogs used by the shepherds and farmers of Scotland to herd their sheep and cattle. The Bearded Collie has a long, shaggy coat which protects it against harsh weather, and which is similar to that of the Old English Sheepdog. It is a lively, even-tempered breed that loves exercise. It makes an affectionate, gentle, well-mannered pet and an intelligent worker. It has sometimes been described as temperamentally softer than some of the other working breeds.
    The Border Collie originated in the border country between England and Scotland, where it was used as a sheepdog. It quickly became prized for its untiring willingness to work, its speed and agility and its alert and attentive manner. The breed is well-known for its piercing gaze, which has a hypnotic, controlling effect on sheep. This breed is also famous for its loyalty, and a story is told of a Border Collie that stood guard over his dead master in England for several days after the shepherd had died while working in the hills with his flock. The breed has become popular as a household pet, but the dogs can have a workaholic streak, derived from their instinctive desire to round up sheep, and they can be driven to herd anything or anyone.
    The Rough Collie, with its distinctive, elongated nose, has become known as the ‘Lassie dog’, after the famous television series starring a Rough Collie. The dog originated in the lowlands of Scotland, and probably took its name from the local black sheep known as the colley. The long, aristocratic nose is thought to have come from a cross with a Russian Borzoi. The breed received its first increase in popularity in England in the late 19th century, after Queen Victoria had seen the dogs while staying at her Scottish estate at Balmoral, and took some back to Windsor Castle. The dogs are good-natured, affectionate, and as loyal to their owner and family as they can be suspicious of strangers.
    All of the Collies can occasionally be short-tempered and ‘nippy’, traits which come from their herding instinct.
CORGIS
    Welsh farmers bred Corgis to herd sheep and cows by nipping at their heels. They are believed to have some Nordic blood and look similar to the Swedish Vallhund, which has the same short legs and long body. The Cardigan Corgi is slightly larger and longer-bodied, while the Pembrokeshire Corgi is more foxy in appearance. The dogs are bold, full of self-importance and they make excellent guard dogs. Even though they love exercise and country living, Corgis are equally suited to city apartments.
GERMAN SHEPHERD
    The German Shepherd is the perfect example of why selection of the right breed is so important for would-be owners. Originally known as the Alsatian Wolf Dog, it first appeared at a show in Hanover in 1882. It is a forceful, intelligent dog, ever alert and suspicious of strangers. In the right hands, it is an excellent dog, good-looking, graceful, and handsome.
    It is a dominant dog, but if owned by dominant people, it is usually very pleasant to handle. However, to