About Working Dogs

In the past dogs were working animals and were highly useful in some countries. What would become of the inhabitants of the northern regions, if the dog were not harnessed to the sledge, and the Laplander, and Greenlander, and the Kamtschatkan drawn, and not unfrequently at the rate of nearly a hundred miles a day, over the snowy wastes? In Newfoundland, the timber, one of the most important articles of commerce, was drawn to the water-side by the dog.

During the 18th centrury, large Mongrel dogs were extensively used on the Continent in pulling small vehicles adapted to various purposes. In fact, most of the carts and wagons that entered Paris, or were employed in the city, had one of these animals attached to them by a short strap hanging from the axle-tree. That arrangement had double purpose; first to keeping off all intruders in the temporary absence of the master, and at the same time dog would materially assists the horse by pushing himself forward in his collar, in propelling a heavy load up-hill, or of carrying one speedily over a plain surface. In old England this employment of the dog has been accompanied by such wanton and shameful cruelty, that the Legislature prohibit the appearance of the dog-carts.