Working Dogs: An Attempt to Produce a Strain of German Shepherds Which Combines Working Ability and Beauty of Conformation

Excerpt from Working Dogs

This book, Working Dogs, records a pioneering adventure in real biological invention — the making Of dogs to fit definite specifications over a wide range of needs and uses. The work at Fortunate Fields is admittedly in its infancy, but that it has already made great progress Of a' definite, orderly, and truly scientific character will be apparent to anyone who reads the book. Every step in the breeding, rearing, and training Of these working dogs is as carefully planned, measured and recorded as is the making of a fine piece of machinery designed to do a particular kind Of work. And the output is becoming all the time a more dependable and better adapted product. The book tells a story as fascinating as a novel Of how the intelligent application Of scientific principles to variable (be cause living) material is producing more and more standard results. While Humphrey and Warner are becomingly modest about the accomplishments so far, I confidently expect that if the work goes on, it will not be many years before it will be possible to have orders filled from their shop for dogs capable Of performing tasks which have not yet even been thought Of as coming within the range Of possibilities. It is greatly to be hoped. That the working partnership Of these two authors will be continued for the greater benefit Of biology, as well as Of dog lovers and users, because they combine in a rare way the thorough discipline Of the university laboratory and wide practical experience In the breeding and training Of animals.