THE KENNEL.

New Zealand Mail, 30 December 1892, Page 21

THE KENNEL.

MELBOURNE NOTES.

Lord Melrose, the largest St Bernard in the world, died on November 6, of gastric colic, at the Melrose kennels, Boston, Mass. The dog weighed 2101 b.

BYBBAMAH. Dandenong Show was held on the Ist, and, being within easy distance of Melbourne, several of the cracks put in an appearance, with the usual result, and, as I have already criticised them in my report of the Melbourne Show, there is no use saying anything about them. But there was a variety class the awards in which rather surprised me, and I was a little bit amused at seeing the judge place a Yorkshire terrier first, a rough-coated Australian terrier second, and a Dandie Dinmont third. How anyone could place a dog—or rather a mongrel—that is not acknowledged or entered on the kennel register above even a second or third-rate dandie (a breed which has been registered for years), I really don't know, but I will, with your permission, have something to say about these Australian terriers in a future letter.

The little I had to say about the field and cocker spaniels has had an effect which to me appears rather ridiculous, as the gentleman who showed the same dog both as a field and cocker spaniel, and took prizes in both classes, now advertises a field spaniel at stud without any taint of cocker blood. Had he reversed this, and advertised a cocker without any taint of field spaniel blood, I could have understood the advantage to be gained, but it is evident that, although one of our largest exhibitors of spaniels he knows very little about the dogs he keeps. In doggy lore, as in other things, it is impossible for a writer to dictate what is right, but I will try and inform your readers and so lead them to exercise their own judgment, and with that end in view I give the latest scale of points of the ' cocker spaniel,' as drawn up and accepted by the Spaniel Club in England. Scale of points for judging black cooker spaniels : «-

The weight should not exceed 251bs. Nose. —Sufficiently wide and well developed, to insure the exquisite scenting powers of this breed. Colour black. Shoulders and Chest.—The former sloping and fine, chest deep and well developed but not too round and wide to interfere with the free action of the fore legs. Back and Loin.—lmmensely strong and compact in proportion to the size and weight of the dog, slightly drooping towards the stern.

Hindquarters—Wide, well rounded and very muscular so as to ensure untiring action and propelling power under the most trying circumstances of a long day, bad weather, rough ground and dense covert,

Stern. —That most characteristic stamp of blue blood in all the spaniel family may, in the lighter and more active cocker, although set low down, be allowed a slightly higher carriage than in the Other breeds, but never cocked over, but rather in a line with the back, though the lower its carriage and action thebetter, and when at work its action should be incessant in this the brightest and merriest of the whole spaniel family. Feet and Legs.—The legs must be well

boned, feathered and straight for the tremendous exertions expected from this grand little sporting dog, and should be sufficiently short for concentrated power, but not so short as to interfere with its full activity; feet firm, round, and cat-like, not too large, spreading and loose-jointed. This distinct breed of spaniel does not follow exactly on the lines of the larger field spaniel, either in lengthiness, lowness, or otherwise, but is shorter in back and rather higher on the legs, Coat.—Flat or waved and silky in -texture, never wiry, woolly, or curly, but with sufficient feather of the right sort, viz., waved or setter like but not too profuse and never curly.

Colour.—Jet black; a white shirt frill should never disqualify, but white feet should not be allowed in any specimen of self-colour.

General Appearance.—Confirmatory of all indicated above, viz., a concentration of pure blood and type, sagacity, docility, good temper, affection and activity. The same scale of points and general remarks given above of the black cocker applies also, with the exception of colour, to all the rest of the cocker family, viz., liver and white, black'' and white, or golden liver, the weight 25lbs and general description applies to all. Melbourne, December 17th, 1892.

Head and j»ws Eyes « Kara ... 10 5 ... 5 Neck 5 Body Forolega ... c .. Bindlegs Feet ... 15 ... 10 ... 10 ... 10 Stem ... 10 Coat and feather ... ... 10 General appearance ... ... 10 Total points ... 100