Intelligence in a Dog

Abstract

SOME time since a friend of mine, Mr. J. W. Schaub, a mechanical engineer at the Edgmore Ironworks of Wilmington, Del., informed me of an exceedingly interesting case of intelligence in a black and tan terrier belonging to him. The old mother dog and her playful family entered his bedroom while he was dressing, and one of the pups snatched his stocking as he was in the act of putting it on, running out of the room with it. The mother at once followed the young offender, took the stocking from him, and returned it to the master. Mr. Schaub said that her conduct gave evidence of displeasure at the action of the pup, and she impressed him with the idea that she felt in some way responsible for the conduct of her young. Being greatly interested in the matter, Mr. Schaub contrived to have the offence committed on many successive mornings, the same performance being repeated each time.