Elite Attack Dogs|主管护卫犬：狗不只是人类最忠心的朋友？

by Owain Mckimm

Executive protection dogs can do a lot, but they come with a high price.

Imagine a dog that is friendly, loyal, and well-behaved. Sounds like the perfect family pet. Now imagine that same dog turning into a barking, snarling attack dog after a single _(1)_ from its owner. Executive protection dogs are elite guard dogs that are trained in _(2)_ as well as military-style defensive and attack maneuvers. They are becoming _(3)_ popular with the rich and famous, who prize the dual nature of these charming yet potentially fierce canines. Buying a dog trained in techniques usually taught to police dogs and dogs that _(4)_ in the army and navy isn't cheap. Prices begin at _(5)_ US$25,000 for dogs that have gotten prizes at Schutzhund, the German sport that awards dogs for their expertise in protection. The price can go as high as US$250,000 for a world champion.

The most popular breed of protection dog is the German shepherd, _(6)_ intelligence and learning ability are praised among breeders and trainers alike. Most protection dogs used in the US are purchased from Europe, _(7)_ breeding standards are more strictly regulated. Dogs are trained to protect their owners from attackers, keep intruders off property, and _(8)_ danger by using controlled rage. While they may look ferocious, they are in fact completely under the control of their owners. The _(9)_ training also includes developmental exercises to strengthen the dogs' biting power. In addition, these dogs are taught how to deal with knife attacks and how to place themselves in a protective position between their owners and any _(10)_ attackers. Although they are incredibly expensive, the popularity of these dogs goes to show that many people wholeheartedly believe that you can't put a price on safety.

(A) intense (B) where   (C) serve   (D) whose   (E) life-threatening

(F) increasingly    (G) prevent (H) command (I) approximately   (J) obedience

主管护卫犬：狗不只是人类最忠心的朋友？

主管护卫犬多才多艺，但要价可不便宜。

　　想象一只和善、忠心又乖巧的狗。这听起来像是只完美的家犬。现在再想象同一只狗，在主人一声令下，变成龇牙咧嘴、咆哮不休的攻击犬。主管护卫犬是警卫犬中的菁英，牠们接受服从训练以及军事形式的防卫和攻击演练。在富豪和名人当中，主管护卫犬因其迷人却又凶猛的双重特质而越来越受欢迎。购买一只受过警犭训练或在陆海军中服役的狗并不便宜。在德国举办的防卫犬竞赛（Schutzhund）活动颁发奖项给在防卫方面技巧卓越的狗，而获奖过的狗要价约从美金 2 万 5 千元起跳。而冠军犬要价则高达 25 万美金。

　　最受欢迎的护卫犬品种是德国牧羊犬，牠们的智力和学习能力备受饲养员和训练师赞赏。美国大部分使用的护卫犬都是购自欧洲，在那里饲养标准受到较严格的控管。这些狗受训来保护主人不受攻击者的伤害、阻止入侵者闯入家园，并在不失控的情况下发挥愤怒来防止危险。虽然牠们或许看起来很凶狠，但事实上牠们完全在主人的掌控下。这些激烈的训练包含增强狗咬合力的渐进式练习。此外，这些狗还被教导如何应付刀子的攻击，以及如何在主人和威胁性命的攻击者之间摆出防卫的姿势。虽然牠们要价昂贵，但护卫犬受欢迎的程度显示出许多人对于『安全无价』这个观念深信不疑。

答案：  1. (H)  2. (J)  3. (F)  4. (C)  5 . (I)

6. (D)  7. (B)  8. (G)  9. (A)  10. (E)

德国牧羊犬相当聪明，对主人也很忠心。德国牧羊犬在台湾又称为『德国狼犬』，是因为牠长得很像狼，但事实上牠们并没有狼的血统。德国牧羊犬通常都是帮助牧人管理牧场内的牲畜，后来在战乱时表现优异，人们才逐渐训练牠们为警用犬；在世界各国都有许多国家运用德国牧羊犬的特性，让牠们从事许多有关于军、警等方面的工作。（数据源：http://www.flybopet.com/GermanShepherd.html）