KENNEL NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 26 November 1936, Page 16

KENNEL NOTES

SOME GOOD POINTS. (By “Fancier.”) Hero are some good points for dog breeders or dealers to remember and carry out if they want to sell a dog to a man and not to “sell a man a pup”:—(1) Advertise in a reputable paper. (2) Tell the truth and the whole truth. Don’t copy out the club’s description of the breed with a few superlatives thrown in. The sane won’t believe it and the others will be disappointed when they see your stock. (3) Record r aults as well as virtues and in detail. Remember that you hope the man you are writing to will see the pup in a few days. .Why be inaccurate when you know you will be found out? (4) Either type your letter, or write very clearly and keep a copy of it. (5) Read carefully what your correspondent writes and asks and answer all questions by numbered paragraphs if possible. (6) Never use superlatives, and don’t write “It is a lovely puppy and I am sure you will like it” when you know nothing of your correspondent’s likes or dislikes. (7) Describe each puppy and price it in such a way that the purchaser can identify the one he selects. (8) Tabulate your description and information—date of birth, parents, and grandparents, weight, markings, etc. Don’t leave the would-be purchaser to try to pick out the information he wants from four pages of semi-legible writing. (9) Never sell an unsound pup without giving the fullest information about its trouble first. If it has had hysteria say so. If it has had a cold, don’t say “over distemper.” (10) Use a comfortable box to send the pup in. If it is your own travelling crate state clearly that you want it back and write a label to your kennels underneath the one to the purchaser. (11) Write a clear label in black letters. Be sure the purchaser knows the train to meet. (12) Put a pup in a travelling box at home for a little while to get him used to it so that he won’t he a mass of nerves when he arrives at his new home. Remember, satisfied clients are the best. « HOW TO BUY A DOG AND LOOK AFTER IT. Those who are thinking of buying a dog often hesitate before doing so, because they know nothing about the care of dogs and are afraid to face the responsibilities that fall on the shoulders of dog owners. It is to try to help in such cases that the following hints are offered: — Firstly, certain points must be considered in detail:—(a) Buying a dog; (b) choice of breed, sex, and age; (c) examination prior to purchase; (d) teeth as an indication of age; (e) housing; _(f) feeding; (g) grooming; (h) exercise. , (a) Buying a dog.—Be careful to obtain the dog from a known breeder or dealer. Place yourself in his hands; state exactly what you want and you should have no cause for complaint. The best advice is to go to a good kennel, and though you may possibly pay a higher price for the dog, greater satisfaction will result in the end. Of course the prices of dogs vary with the different breeds, but a dog only wanted as a “pal” should be obtained for quite a reasonable figure. (b) Choice f breed and sex.—The choice of breed must, to a very great extent, be governed by financial considerations, not only in the initial cost of purchase, but also expenses in feeding, etc., and as to where one lives. Tire majority of dog-owners probaly live in or near a town, and for them one of the larger varieties is unsuitable as, in an ordinary town house or flat, a big dog is out of place and calls for much more exercise than a town-dweller can conveniently give. Therefore, one of the smaller breeds is advisable, such as terriers, as they make good companions, are oheery, full or life, and easy to exercise, but are hardy and suitable for small rooms. Many people like toy dogs and these are most suitable for town life: Most people are apt to veto female dogs on the score that they are a great trouble at times. Personally, I do not agree. At certain times a bitch must be carefully watched and guarded, but in the ordinary way she is much less likely to wander than a dog. One must always be on the alert with some, but one gets males that are just as affectionate as the females and never wander, but I fear they are in the minority. Usually a bitch is more affectionate than a dog. There are of course, exceptions to both rules. Those without experience in training a dog would be wiser if they got one at least trained in house manners, and if possible in other respects, a suitable age being nine months to a year. But if you want to train the pup yourself get one of three months.—To be continued. VISITING FANCIER. Mrs G. Shephard, of Holcombe, England, is considering making New Zealand her permanent home, and is now visiting her brother, Mr Pike, of Martinborough. Mrs Shephard is a keen dog enthusiast, and has specialised in breeding spaniels. For eleven years she has owned the Plant Kennels in Holcombe, and many of her cocker spaniels have been winners in dog shows. Some of her dogs have been sent by air to India for breeding purposes. Mrs Shephard brought her car with her and intends to see much of our country. She is a keen motorist, and has won several silver cups in England in motor races. ■