KENNEL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21825, 14 September 1934, Page 2

KENNEL NOTES

[By Tail-tv agger.] The judges for the big show to he held in Melbourne in October are Mr Eric Dart (Airedale, bull-lrish and wire-haired fox terriers, Alsatians, setters, and Poms), Mr E. Lawson (cocker spaniels, collies, pointers, springer spaniels), Air G. M‘Ewin Duncan (pugs, cattle dog. kelpies, bulldogs, greyhounds, and Dasehundes), Captain W. Lewis Remvick (all other breeds).

Air Dart is well known to New Zealand dog breeders and exhibitors, having bred Alsatians here when the breed was first known. Since going to reside in Australia Air Dart lias made himself very popular in the judging ring, and once returned to judge here, when he took all breeds at Manawatu in 1932, going over in all 195 dogs, a tribute to his ability as a judge. Air 1 jawson is a leading Queensland judge, whose famous prefix “ Noswa! ” is known to every cocker breeder in Australasia. Both the other judges are very,well known in the different States of Australia, though perhaps not so much so as the first-mentioned pair, so that between them the quartet should draw a record entry. Last week I had an opportunity of giving Air T. G. Overton’s two nice terriers the “ once over.” The older of the two is a West Highland White Lochiel Ruairidh bred by Airs Bracks from Selwyn Gipsy and Clint Clova (imp.). Ho has now come into better coat and is altogether growing into a very sound adult. His headpiece is very pleasing, being almost an exact reproduction of that of that famous pillar of the breed Wolvey Promise. His quarters, too, are nice and thick, and he carries a good tail. With a slightly shorter body he would take a power of stopping in a show ring. Mr Overton’s other and younger dog is a bull-terrier, the only one in Dunedin so far as is known. He is pure white and is the real thing, although only three months old. His head is a picture—right shape, carries a pair of good ears, and splendid dark eyes. Thus he has the correct expression and growing more apparent as he puts on age. His body is very evenly balanced and of good shape, and his hindquarters are worthy of an older dog. He stands four-square on well-boned legs, and his tail when he is at attention is carried just right. And more than anything he has the true bull-terrier spirit, although only a baby he gives way to nothing. Altogether he is a most likeable little chap, and bids fair to become a general favourite. .Judging by the following, taken from the ‘ Leader,’ they have some very fine setters in Victoria:—“ The Irish setters of Air G. E. Candler, of Writtle. Hamilton, are lucky dogs. Besides having the advantage of living in the western district, which is a paradise to a good field dog, their own particular domain comprises a propertv of five acres, and their kennels are roomy loose-boxes. Needless to say, with these surroundings these red setters are always in the pink of condition. The two chief inmates of the kennel are the imported dog ch. Borrowdale Jake and the bitch Biddy of Writtle. Jake was exhibited at the Victorian Poultry and Kennel Chib’s show this year, when lie impressed keen judges with his undoubted quality, good colour, ana general soundness. He has sired some very useful puppies in England, and is wonderfully well bred. His sire, ch.' Menaifron Pat I O’Alory, won his twenty-second challenge • certificate at Birminghain last December. His daiii, Colleen O’Kilner, won her sixth challenge certificate when six and a-half years old. Needless to say, with his English record he is also a splendid dog in the field. Biddy of Writtle is also another typical Irish setter which won at the Poultry and Kennel Club’s show. She is by the English dog Sliamns of Ballyshannon, winner of over 300 first prizes, and is ox Biddy of Halcana (imp.). Biddy of Writtle excels in the field. In the beginning of this season, her first time put, she found 80 per cent, of a good bag of .filty quail. There is a wonderful Jitter of eleven pups now in this kennel bv Jake and Biddy.” Air Critchfield, of Studholmo Junction, has made a start in breeding activities for this season by sending his nice bitch. Belle of Bellevue, to the good brindle dog owned by Air Leslie, of Musselburgh. . This fellow, Alaori Warrior, was bred in Wellington by Air F-. Bond, and is by the now deceased Skipper X. Salome. Although a trifle on the small side, lie is a shapely bulldog, and is very soundly bred, so that given luck—and one needs a fair quantity of it in breeding these dogs—Mr Critchfield should land some quality pups. .Princess Ida, the bully bitch at the Lochiel kennels, lias also been on a visit, and more puppies like the last lot are hoped for, more provision being made for their rearing than was the case last time. The sire is again Air A. Kingston’s good dog, Major Barney, bred by Air B. Bond, of Alornington. ‘ Distemper Inoculation ’ (by C. Court Rice, in the ‘ Australian Dog and Cat Gazette ’) :—The more data we get concerning the now famous distemper vaccine the more sceptical one becomes as to its giving lasting immunity. In the first place, we learn from a letter bv Dr R. A. O’Brien, director of the Wollcomo physiological research laboratories, that there is some doubt that every batch of virus sent far overseas will remain potent during transport. We are therefore very unready to send virus abroad for use. for an occasional failure may produce great irritation and disappointment. Dealing with the serum, for, so far as Australia is concerned. the virus containing live germs will not be admitted, further particulars received state: “ One dose of the vaccine now being issued from here gives complete protection for several weeks against the injunction of virulent virus or infection by contact. If a second dose of the vaccine be given four weeks after the first it is highly probable that the period of protection will be prolonged for much more than an extra month. The pup which has received the two doses of vaccine in this way will be completely immune lor about three months at least from the date of the first injection, and probably for sonie time longer. AVe do not know with accuracy alter what period the protection diminishes, but we hope to discover this from the results of the experiments mentioned above. Then our experience of this double vaccine method in the past inclines us to think that, though a makeshift to be adopted in the absence of a stable virus, it may prove a makeshift of great value to veterinary surgeons abroad. Dr O’Brien recommends for a dog already ill a large dose of serum at once. It is only in the earliest stages of the disease that one oan confidently expect improvement, though some veterinary surgeons feel that serum is of some help even in later stages. Where dogs are already infected and incubating the disease, but not yet showing symptoms, serum given at once would prevent the occurrence of distemper, and these dogs would become actively immune, and would in the great majority of instances remain immune

for a long period; a dog not infected would bo completely protected for a period. Some workers in England put this period at a week, others at three weeks. No one can suggest undue optimism over either the vaccine or the scrum, especially if the virus is unavailable, by the above extracts. It would appear that there is a long way to go yet before distemper is scotched.”