Mr. F.N. Pickett, chairman of the Alsatian League of Great Britain and a leading authority on the Alsatian wolf-dog breed in the country, has offered a robust defence of the breed following recent accusations of aggression. These remarks come in the wake of a reported incident involving an Alsatian biting its owner.

According to Mr. Pickett, who oversees investigations into such incidents on behalf of the league, the attack likely stemmed from a case of mistaken identity. The dog reportedly bit its mistress because it perceived her as an intruder. The owner had previously sent the animal to a boarding kennel, where it served as a watch and guard dog for several months. The attack occurred soon after the owner resumed walking the dog following its return.

Critics have described the dog as having an unstable temperament; however, Mr. Pickett cited the opinion of the veterinary surgeon who examined the animal after the event. Mr. R. Stokoe concluded that the dog was neither naturally vicious nor suffering from madness. The dog was euthanized only under orders from a magistrate and not due to an inherent behavioral issue, according to Mr. Pickett.

With a personal experience encompassing 62 Alsatian wolf-dogs currently in his care and 80 to 90 used for security purposes during his work in France, Mr. Pickett emphasized the breed’s reliability. He described Alsatians as faithful, dependable, and manageable dogs, though noted their independent nature and intolerance of mistreatment.

Mr. Pickett acknowledged that when the breed’s popularity surged a few years ago, some poorly bred specimens entered the country, potentially leading to behavioral problems. Nevertheless, he expressed skepticism toward the breed’s negative reputation, suggesting it may be partly influenced by its German origins. He drew comparisons to other breeds, citing examples of a Chow and a bulldog involved in violent attacks without similar widespread condemnation of those breeds.

Overall, Mr. Pickett maintains that a properly bred Alsatian does not display treacherous tendencies and cautioned against attributing incidents to the breed as a whole based on isolated cases.