Celebrate Country Canines

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While a country dog should be of a certain size and temperament, just about any purebred or mixed-breed dog can apply for the job. Some folks prefer Labs, German Shepherds, retrievers, or hounds of one kind or another. Personally, I like mixed-breed dogs with some Australian Shepherd or Border Collie blood. The so-called “purse dog” breeds such as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus and Toy Poodles are seldom cut out to be outdoor dogs. A brave Chihuahua did make the news last year for defending the family toddler from a rattlesnake, but there’s a good chance any dog weighing less than a hen turkey could wind up on the menu if coyotes or bobcats are in the area.

Country dogs generally like youngsters and tolerate having their tails and ears pulled, will submit to being hitched to a little red wagon and will happily participate in a game of tag. Although they might be embarrassed by the experience, they’ll probably even put up with children dressing them in old clothes. My mother tells me I used to feed dirt clods to my first dog, Tippy, when I was 3 or 4 years old. To my knowledge, Tippy tolerated the indignity without complaint.

Country dogs often have names like Rex or Max or Hank, and they should never be confused with a show dog whose pedigree name includes such titles as “Viceroy,” “Countess” or “Prince.” Compared to show dogs, they are uncultured, uncouth and unconcerned with their appearance.

Like Huck Finn, country dogs are not keen advocates of personal hygiene. They tend to be attracted to ripe odors, and they think the most wonderful aroma in the world comes from a muskrat or possum carcass that’s been baking by the side of the road for a week or longer. Make the mistake of giving a country dog a shampoo, and there’s a good chance he will assert his independence by rolling in a fresh pile of cow manure at the earliest opportunity.

Country dogs will eat almost anything. Some thrive on a diet of dry dog food, while others do fine on table scraps. If they’re hungry for a change of diet, gophers, mice and moles are always available. They rarely expect to sleep in the house and are happy with a bed of straw in the barn, an old blanket in the machine shed or pile of seed-corn sacks in the granary.

Country dogs love pickup trucks the way auto enthusiasts love Porsches and BMWs. Some prefer to ride in the back, standing upright with their front paws propped against the cab while they inhale the wonderful aromas of cows and horses, new-mown alfalfa, dandelion patches and sun-warmed earth. Others prefer the comfort of the front seat, ears flapping in the breeze as they stick their heads as far out the window as possible. Still others are lovers and prefer to lean their heads on the boss’s shoulder, looking for all the world like a teenager’s prom date. Raise your hand if you’ve ever driven past a pickup with a tall redhead sitting close beside the driver, only to discover the redhead was an Irish Setter.

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