One member of our family has always wanted a cheetah or hunting leopard.  This desire is likely to go unfulfilled.  These beasts are easily domesticated and are gentle and affectionate.  They appear to have the best characteristics of both cat and dog.  They are no more expensive than many a thoroughbred dog.  Yet we shall not have one.  Not only is the climate of Westchester County, New York, too unlike that of their native India for them to thrive, but consider the task of soothing terrified tradesmen and casual visitors.  One may explain that although appearances are against him he is not really a leopard but just an overgrown cat.  They will not believe it.  They will not even hear because they will be a mile down the road.

Other people must be considered even in the country.  So pick your dog and train him up in the way he should go.  You may prefer one of the terrier breeds.  They are bright and lively and make good pets but must be taught not to dig holes in the carefully groomed lawn.  It is as natural for them to delve for underground animals as for a setter or spaniel to flush birds.  Retrievers are usually gentle, well disposed animals and not only make good pets but are excellent in a family where hunting is a diversion.  Very popular just now in this class are the spaniels, especially the cockers.  They have beauty, an affectionate disposition, are most intelligent and are excellent watch dogs.  They fit into nearly any household large or small.

With the larger dogs there is, of course, the collie as well as his ancestor the old-fashioned shepherd.  Here we would say a good word for a much-maligned dog, the police or German shepherd.  Only recently since the Seeing Eye has demonstrated their keen intelligence and sense of responsibility in guiding their blind owners, have they begun to come into their own again.  Even now there is an impression abroad in the land that they, like the timber wolf they so much resemble but are not descended from, are sly treacherous brutes with a particular delight in taking a piece out of the unwary stranger.  It is true that when first brought to this country they had no little trouble in adapting themselves to conditions here.  In their native Germany they were what their name implies and as working dogs covered miles daily.  They ate coarse food and slept in the open either on the ground itself or a small heap of straw.  Obviously such a dog cannot be shut up in cramped quarters and given almost no exercise without his disposition being somewhat affected.  They are highly intelligent animals and for the country dweller with two or more acres, make affectionate and satisfactory pets.  They have a keen sense of guardianship, are fine watch dogs and show but little tendency to roam.