SOME COSTLY DOGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12240, 8 April 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

SOME COSTLY DOGS.

Price £5000. For what is this large sum asked? A successful racehorse? a steam yacht? an estate? Not a bit of it. The small fortune is the price at which a dog was listed at Craft's Show. And yet the animal in question was already ten years old, and a purchaser at this figure could hardly expect his acquisition to live for many years. It represents £5000 liable to extinction by mange, fever, or any of the other diseases that dog-flesh is heir to. Why, then, is such a price placed against the animal's name in the catalogue? The explanation will seem curious to the outsider. The dog, a champion Dalmatian, is the sire of many prize-winners as well as an excellent show dog. Indeed, not a few of his offspring have competed against their sire at the Agricultural Hall. Naturally, an owner is unwilling to part with so valuable a dog, and accordingly places a "protective" price upon his head—a price which tends. to discourage buyers rather than effect a sale. In many" cases this system of protective prices for show animals leads to curious results, ps it did in the show which has just concluded. The £5000 animal was awarded second prize, while another Dalmatian,

in the shape of biscuit is frequently rejected with scorn. .-,,,.,- j Nourishing sheep s-head broth is prepared in 'large quantities, and, when poured over the biscuit, will generally tempt the dogs' jaded appetites. Some toy dogs, however, will not eat even this appetising concoction. A special food, consisting of broken up biscuit, scented with a perfume that dogs find irresistible, usually induces the most dainty pet to feed heartily- A special veterinary surgeon is in constant attendance at these shows, for some delicate kinds of dogs are in constant need of professional attention. The sturdy, rugged-looking bulldog is one of the most delicate animals. Cold, damp, and draughts speedily affect hhn, and many owners think nothing of sitting up all night with an ailing bulldog, administering medicine and nourishment at short intervals. A dog that looks as if it ought to be delicate, yet is used for sport that -calls for the greatest endurance, is the Borzoi. lii Russia it is the dog employed for tracking the wolf. The Borzoi's tapering head, silky coat, and slender build are no index to the courage and daring it undoubtedly possesses. The Borzoi is a great favourite of the Queens, and has become fashionable from that reason. A really delicate dog is the fashionable Japanese spaniel. Many are imported from