THE KENNEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 29

THE KENNEL.

Stud Visits and Wheipings will be inserted under the Kennel Notes in the New Zealand Mail for ONE SHILLING each insertion. lor Sale advertisements, &c., not exceeding six line 3,2 s each insertion. The Kennel Editor will be pleased to answer, through this column, any question as to canine diseases, or disorders, or any inquiries on matters generally dealing with dogs. Items of general interest to dog fanciers will at all times lie acceptable, and our readers are invited to forward any information to the Kennei Editor, New Zealand Mail. NOTES. By Fancier. If ridicule kills, then the Pink ’Tin has slaughtered the idiotic Glasgow Police Bill. Under this Bill an owner setting a dog at a rat, or a cat at a mouse, may b 9 fined. The Sporting Times is responsible for the statement that the following clause has been added to the Bill: —“ Any owner of a dog permitting the said dog to defile any lamp post, post, tree, pillar, doorway, house, office, room, or place, or to follow at the tail ol apy other dog, shall, o»

conviction thereof, forfeit a sum not exceeding five pounds." Clever I Dog owners occasionally put some curious questions to us, which, from their very absurdity, take a deal of answering. Here’s a specimen : —“ I have a fox terrier three years old," writes a Peterboro’ correspondent; “he has a habit of growling in a most unpleasant manner when asked to shake hands even with his best friend, but never attempts to bite. He also growls at being caressed or taken extra notice of. Be kind enough to send me a remedy." We should suggest putting the dog to bed without any supper, and smacking that part of his anatomy situate immediately below the tail. —Licensed Victuallers' Gazette. The serpentine dancing dogs at the Palace should be seen to be appreciated. Their training is remarkable, and their performances are applauded to the echo. — Stock-keeper.

The English papers just to hand contain excellent reports of the New York Show. It is true that English fanciers have supplied their American cousins with most of the best dogs they now possess ; yet if it had been their privilege to educate Americans in matters canine, the latter may at all events claim to have learned their lesson well, if not to have in some respects already surpassed their teachers. The recent New York Dog Show may assuredly be cited in support of this statement, for from all accounts the show was a splendidly managed affair. Indeed if evidence is needed one need only mention that the hall in which the gathering took place absorbed a sum of LI2OO, that many of the ordinary expenses were of a proportionately heavy description, yet that the concern was made to pay. Two hundred and thirtyeight classes were provided, and it is interesting to learn that out of these 113 were judged by Mr Taylor, the wellknown English fancier. The show lasted four days, yet for all that time a uniform fee of one dollar was charged, a sum which would, I fear, scarcely suit the pockets of many of our fanciers. It is also interesting to learn that all prizemoney was actually paid in the show. Amongst the list of winners I notice many well-known names, such as Sir Bedivere, the St. Bernard, said to be in grand form ; Rufford Ormonde, the grand North of England Collie ; Ripon Stormer, a foxterrier; besides a whole host of other dogs which have made their mark in the old country.

In reply to a letter from Mr T. Becker, enquiring if it would be tampering with a dog, which is suffering from a faulty cleavage of the eyelids, to cut the piece out, the Kennel Club committee very properly' refrained from answering the question. Mr Becker was referred to his veterinary surgeon, and advised to get a certificate from him as to any operation he may consider it necessary to perform. —Licensed Victuallers' Gazette.

That old theories die hard we all know, yet surely none live longer than thos6 connected with the cnnine race. As long as these stories are harmless it matters very little; yet there certainly are a few which we would gladly see dead and buried. How often, for instance, must young fanciers be assured that it is not inevitable that every dog should have the distemper. In spite, however, of the innumerable times this statement has been made by almost every authority on canine matters, the idea is almoso as canine as ever, and, indeed, seems likely to remain so. Then, too, one wonders will fanciers ever learn that they need not search in their favourites’ mouths for that mysterious lump which has apparently proved a danger signal to many. While writing of dogs’ mouths I would point out that, in spite of all that has been said on the subject, a black roof is no more a sign of pure breeding than are dew claws or a curly tail. Were I desirous to rake up more of these blunders I would point out that tobacco is not a useful article of medicine, though many seem to think so, nor yet is it the truth that a worm inhabits a dog’s tail.