Pathé Frères, the prime French company of film distribution at that point, is and was often known for their elaborate trick films and story extravaganzas in the 1900s, enhanced by the stencil-color process that made them successful. However, as evidenced by this feature, documentary was also an explored genre of theirs--with directors such as Mundwiller and Chomòn creating travelogues on other areas of the world. "The Dog and His Various Merits" is a very simplistic piece featuring four different dogs working for their masters, doing the separate jobs they are assigned. While not especially fascinating, it provides an interesting look into French lifestyles of the time.
Addressing JoeytheBrit's commentary, I would say that a film like this was not intended to be shown in France itself, because the locations appear to be quite local. Instead, a documentary like this was probably produced for worldwide distribution, to provide a look into what would be a foreign country to the rest of the world. Also, this is a documentary not an actuality--actualities are the single scene, 1-minute movies made by Lumière in the 1890s. This short is more sophisticated than those, since while it remains a documentary, it also utilizes a cut to a medium closeup to get the dog on the wheel--as well some good continuity to get the milkman leaving and then going to the doors.
Because of being presumably produced for other countries, it makes perfect sense why there were two versions (as wmorrow59 has pointed out). The edited one is all I've seen, and considering the gruesome and questionable content of the other four scenes cut out it makes sense why two versions were made. Such scenes as wmorrow59 describes would be unacceptable in certain areas. It's also possible that the edited version was assembled by the showmen for their audiences.
Addressing JoeytheBrit's commentary, I would say that a film like this was not intended to be shown in France itself, because the locations appear to be quite local. Instead, a documentary like this was probably produced for worldwide distribution, to provide a look into what would be a foreign country to the rest of the world. Also, this is a documentary not an actuality--actualities are the single scene, 1-minute movies made by Lumière in the 1890s. This short is more sophisticated than those, since while it remains a documentary, it also utilizes a cut to a medium closeup to get the dog on the wheel--as well some good continuity to get the milkman leaving and then going to the doors.
Because of being presumably produced for other countries, it makes perfect sense why there were two versions (as wmorrow59 has pointed out). The edited one is all I've seen, and considering the gruesome and questionable content of the other four scenes cut out it makes sense why two versions were made. Such scenes as wmorrow59 describes would be unacceptable in certain areas. It's also possible that the edited version was assembled by the showmen for their audiences.
