KERNEL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22363, 12 June 1936, Page 2

KERNEL NOTES

[By Tatl-waggek.] Tho Dunedin Fanciers’ Club's show this week is a real eye-opener in so far as quality goes, nothing being left to the imagination in this respect. Heading the list are the three imported wire-haired fox terriers eh. Stocks Moor Smart Set and Bowes Bindle belonging to Mrs Frank Wall, of Martinborough, and Talavera Graceful, Mr W. M. Jack’s latest purchase. Ryburn Radio, Mr Jack’s winning puppy, is also competing. This is the first time these two lending terrier brooders have met in the South Island, and only the second occasion they have ever met in a show ring since both started importing and breeding. Naturally the local club is very proud that these two stars of the dog world have both come to its show and given its appointed judge such an opportunity. All those keen to learn how a dog should behave in a show ring will lake a real delight in seeing Bindle, Smart set. and Graceful “on the job.” A great many other wire haired fox terriers, good ones, too. are competing this year, and some good classes have resulted. Another big section this year is the cocker spaniel, both black and coloured being outstanding. In addition to a big local entry, Christchurch sent a good consignment, including a dog from Mr Hodge. This action on the part of this fancier is very much appreciated by the club, as the sire of the dog now entered —ch. Rossmount Scott—met with very bad luck here last year, and one could hardly have blamed Mr Hodge for not wanting to send dogs to Dunedin again.

Mr Brough, of Nelson, sent his beautiful imported collie, Eden _ Excellent,, down for Mr Robson’s opinion, and doubtless many local breeders and owners of collies will be keen to see him. Scottish terriers are very strong this year, and will take some sorting out. as will the various variety c'asses. all of which are well filled, the ladies’ class having the largest entry of the lot. Altogether there was a total of 220 dogs for the Wellington man to work on. Fanciers and friends are reminded that the club is expecting to see all its snniporters at the hall in Victoria Hall this evening, when the visitors will be entertained and the judge will give a few of his impressions gained during the day. As the social programme will not commence until 9 o’clock, and many visitors view the show this evening, a .special attraction in the judging of some of the big stakes classes will he commenced about 7.30, when local peonle may see the best dogs’ in New Zealand parading.

THE PROFESSIONAL HANDLER. First, for the benefit of those readers who are not quite sure what a “handler” is, let me explain. Broadly, he is a person of wide experience in dogs and dog shows, who undertakes for a fee to prepare ami show other people’s dogs for them a writer in the ‘Dog illustrated’). The old adage, “practice makes perfect/’/ holds good in dog showing as it does in almost every walk of lilc, and it is to the professional handler one must look for perfection in the art of presenting exhibition dogs. Nor are wc disappointed in what we find. Many people have not the time nor the ability, to nut in all the work necessary to give their dogs a fair chance of success in present-day competition. Therefore, the nvfo-irPnnr exhibitor who has the means finds it much more productive of success to put his treasured protege in the bands of someone who has had long experience of the arts and crafts of show and of D’e careful work which precedes it. I do not wish to suggest that it is essential to retain the services of a crack handler, for there are few moments in life sweeter than that in which one wins a challenge certificate with a dog that has been prepared and shown by one’s self.

It will be readily understood that in order to compete with professional showmen the novice has to undergo a good many disappointments, and no small amount of expense during the time he is learning the fine _ art of showing such breeds as the wire fox terriers, but if he has the determination to succeed the novice will find the apprenticeship far from disagreeable. Professional handlers are usually men or women who have owned or managed successful kennels for a number of years, during which time they have accumulated a multitude of details which help to make the dogs they show so successful. When such people decide to put their services at the disposal of other exhibitors they usually have little difficulty in getting together a “ string ” of dogs which will keep them fully occupied during tho show season. It is not uncommon for handlers to accept a retaining fee for some wellknown kennel, binding them to show the inmates of this particular establishment, hut leaving them, free to show for other people when they are not so engaged. No handler likes to show an inferior specimen, as it is the worst possible advertisement for him. In most breeds of terriers, it is necessary to put the dog in the handler’s care some six or eight weeks before tho first show at which it is to appear, as this is the time it will take to grow a new coat after being stripped. The usual charges for preparing and showing dogs are 15s a week while the dog is in the handlers kennels. £2 for each open or championship show at which it is exhibited, £5 each for the first two championships won, and £lO for the third, which gives the dog the proud title of “ champion.” The owner of the dog pays the entry fees, and it is usually a matter for agreement ns to who takes the prize money. Naturally these figures vary with the breed of dog and the eminence or otherwise of the handler, but it would he reasonable to expect that the total cost of having a dog handled by an expert until it becomes a champion would be something like this: About £l2 for board, five shows at £2 each, two shows at £5 each, and one at £lO, making a total of £-10. A great deal depends on the quality of the dog and on whether suitable shows arc being bold at the right time, sd that the dog’s career may bo reasonably short. These figures may seem rather high to the uninitiated, but in reality it is quite as cheap, if not cheaper, than if the dog was shown by its owner. As the handler usually has several dogs going to each chamoion show he can take one particular exhibit at more economical cost. Many handlers also undertake to '-cop and manage valuable dogs which have been put at public stud. There ■'"min expet maintcrau''o cn^t-:botes vast’y to the success of a, stud do ,T . -'suecia’ly as in all p-ob'-bup.v bo wi'l '-e seen bv i"o-e ncon'o wV« in a "imons b~.. no ] fVn i? )'« were rt 't v.-cu’d 1-a miite r*ror<* to su""e?t t'mt a-y iMife-’r f-vnnrith-n is shown in I'm ring to decs s’-own by wclld-im-vu band'evs. but it is unite natural that any Mid "e should pav particular attention to any dog paraded by someone ••••*'» is never known to show a bad one. When this psychological advantage is combined with perfect ring maimers and nu immaculate appearance, it will be seen that it is well worth while to retain the services of n handler who can give your already good dog the chance to obtain the coveted title of “ champion.”