THE KENNEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 184, 6 August 1898, Page 3

THE KENNEL.

By Cams.)

As the best breeding season is fast approaching', a word or two thereon will not be o>ut of place. I need scarcely say that I am referring to purebred dogs only, for' I presume that nobody nowadays cares to go to any trouble over a mongrel. The most popular guard dogs are bull-dogs, bullterriers, mastiffs, and Newfoundlands, all of which .are quite gentle with children and with people with whom they are acquainted. For a companiable dog I like a Newfoundland, St. Bernard, collie, Great Dane or setter, whilst the best pet dogs are Blenheims, King Charles', . pugs, Yorkshire terriers, and Maltese. The best farmers' dogs are collies, terriers of all kinds, spaniels, and retrievers. Anyone intending- to g-o in for breeding dogs should first learn something about the points of the particular breed they intend to keep. A little book learning is useful, but a careful look round a dog show, and, if possible, a chat with the judge, will be far more beneficial.

•Having made up your mind what breed of dog- you intend to keep (and here I might add the most popular breeds are Scotch collies, fox terriers, Irish terriers, St. Bernards, bull dog-s, and Airdales, the latter are comingfast), procure a first-class bitch of undoubted pedigree from an" experienced breeder—don't imagine for a moment that because you.' hate a pedigree dog that it must necessarily be a good specimen. All racehorses can't be Carbines, neither can all purebred dogs be champions. Select a well known dog- as sire; don't rush to a certain dog because he happens to have won a couple of first prizes, but rather use a sire of winners, even though he is not a winner himself. Then, again, if your bitch is a youngone—say, twelve months old—select a sire at least 2£ to 3 years ; to mate animals each under twelve months, especially where any size is required, is the very height of folly, and is a practice of novices only. Neither are fully matured, and the probability is that if the pups do not die they will be Weeds. YoUr bitch is sure to have some failing points, therefore select a dog if possible good: in these points, and if you get the best points highly developed stick to these points even at the risk of losing a little elsewhere. Bitches come in season about twice a ;,«ar, some more some less, and run in whelp from 61 to 65' days. A dry warm place should be made ready for the bitch to whelp in at least a week before the pups are due; a piece of bag nailed carefully down over some straw is the best bed, the puppies can stick their claws into the bag and so help themselves so much'better to the1 milk. Give the bitch more sloppy food than usual during the last few days, and a dose of castor oil. Commence to wean the. puppies when :they are over three weeks old, and give them porridge and milk, or prepared foods, and finally take them away from the mother when six weeks old, and then feed at least five or six times a day for a few weeks, a little sweetened ood liver, oil will help wonderfully to keep them in nice condition. In and in breeding to ensure perfection in points has been proved by years of experience to be the most successful system if the parents are properly matured; strong and healthy close relationship . will not hurt. In my next notes I shall give information on the general management of the show dog, together with the points of some particular and popular breed.

I understand the Auckland and Provincial Agricultural Society have again asked the Auckland Collie Club to take over the management of the sheep during trials at their coming show. I have not yet heard if they have consented, but as they were highly successful last year, • I think there is every probability of their doing so. The recent dog show of the N.S.W. P.P.C. and I). Society was, considering that the big Show of the N.S.W. Kennel Club had only taken place six weeks before, a great success. The entries numbered^ about 400, and from our Sydney files' I learn that Some very good specimens were shown in the St.- Bernard, mastiff, collie, and Irish terrier classes. Mr J. C. Coupe judged all except Australian terriers, which Avere taken by Mr Beattie. The principalwinners: St. Bernards: Dogs, E. Palmer's Lord Clifton; bitches, Mrs Glaesson's Atanga Spot. Pointers: Dogs, A. B. Cadell's Ranger Tarn; bitches, H. Bunting's Champion Rifle Myrtle. English setters: Dogs; S. A. Fulford's Gniana Raleigh; bitches, G.

Humphi-ies' Wood. Gipsy; Collies: Dogs, Mr A. J. Gray's Laird of Eton; bitches, Mr J. S. Clark's Bookham Queen, 1 (New Zealand bred); 'Mr S. Hordern's Potentilla, 2 (bred in England by the celebrated Portington Bar None, and a winner, in the old country). Fox terriers: Dogs, N. Eblsworth's Kioto Noss; bitches, Mr Bell's Gordon Bitters. Irish terriers: Dogs, Messrs Cowan's Eltham Spuds; bitches, Mr Bell's Gordon Biddy. Bull terriers: Dog-s. E. A. Dawburn's Saxon; bitches, Tom Meadow's Yevette. The remaining classes were poorly represented. /"'■'■ Mr J. Pybtis Sellon, the noted bulldog breeder, exhibitor, and judge.who visited Australia for the benefit o<f his t health a short time ago, is dead.