THE KENNEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1250, 13 February 1896, Page 27

THE KENNEL.

Stud Visits Hnd Wlielpings will be inserted under the Kennel N<>tks in the New Zealand Mail for ONE SHILLING each insertion. Kor Sale advertisements, &e., not exceeding six lines, 2a each insertion. The Kennel Editor will be pleased to answer, through this column, any question as to canmo diseases, or disordets, or any inquiries on matters generally d- sling with dogs. Items of general interest to dog fanciers will at all times Ije acceptable, and our readers are invited to forward any information to the Kennel Editor, New Zealand MaiU

NOTES. By Fancier. A well-known Wellington fancier wished to enter his bitch for the Victorian Dog and Poultry Society’s Produce Stakes, but his entry was refused. Some rather heated correspondence on the subject has passed between the fancier and the secretary of the Society. When the matter comes to a conclusion I will endeavour to publish a summary of the correspondence, as some very interesting points, to fanciers generally, are involved.

The New Zealand Fancier which was recently published in Nelson has been incorporated with the Wellington paper The People. More attention is now paid to the kennel portion of the Fancier, which, if continued, must prove to be of considerable benefit to the fancy.

English papers to hand tell us that a fox terrier, Devil’s Luck, won'in the puppy, novice and, maiden classes at Birmingham. Devil’s Luck is by Devereux ex Dame Fortune. Devereux is own brother to the locally-owned Diversion, and Dame Fortune is almost full sister to the wellknown Harewood Terror and Harewood Torment. The dam of Dusky D’Orsay (the well-known stud dog of the Harewood Kennels) also produced several prizewinners at Crystal Palace.

‘ It is satisfactory to know that we have here in the Colony the blood of these great prize-winners in England. No wonder visitors, who see our fox terriers, say that they are as good as the best in the world.

Mr Fred Rogen has sold to Mr Frank Smith, of Pailcakariki, a very promising collie dog by Newmarket Ruff ex Newmarket Faith. It is interesting to learn that Mr Smith reports that the dog is a first class worker.

The Gowan Bank farm has been sold, but the kennels bearing that name have not. Mr Rogen will reside at the farm and look after the dogs for a few months yet. He reports that he has fifty collies for sale at prices ranging from one hundred and fifty pounds down to three guineas. As I mentioned last week, Mr Rogen intends to reside in Australia. He will be a decided acquisition to the ranks of Australian fanciers; but he will be much missed by “ doggie “ men in New Zealand.

Charlie Cruft lies dormant for the chief part of the year, but as February approaches he comes to life again. Of course, Charles is now very much in evidence, arranging for his next show at the Royal Agricultural Hall. We learn that he has one or two startling novelties on hand in the shape of special classes, in which exhibitors will have the privilege of naming their oion judges when they make the entry. Sounds funny, don’t it ? Nevertheless, we believe the scheme practical, and that it will be exciting “ nobody can deny." Of this more anon. In the meantime, Mr Cruft i 3 open to receive suggestions concerning his coming show.—Licensed Victuallers Gazette.

Talking of collies at the Birmingham Show, the British Fancier says : —“ If anyone is lucky, surely it is Mr John Powers. Some eighteen months ago he sold Mr Biggie Chorlton Fairy for about a century. At Mr Biggie’s sale two months ago he bought the bitch back for £26 under the hammer. Shown at Birmingham, she wins all she can, with championship to boot, an I, to crown all, is claimed by the Countess of Warwick for £200."

The Stockkeeper reports that Mr Williamson, of New Zealand, has purchased the bulldog Bon Leon from Mr J. W f , Ross, and remarks :—“ Bon Leon is sire of that promising youngster Ilford Mikado, and we congratulate Mr Williamson on his choice of blood, which will make things warm for the wild pigs, if Bon Leon takes after his ancestors, as we believe he does."

Bulldog fanciers will be very pleased to note the above paragraph. I have often urged that it would pay to import some really good bulldogs. At a Wellington dog show the owner of an indifferent bulldog bitch received a score of offers for his exhibit, prices ranging from £2O downwards. I sincerely hope that Mr Williamson’s purchase will set the bulldog fancy going, and that good bulldogs may yet become as plentiful in the Colony as are good collies and fox terriers.

While spending a pleasant evening not long ago at that delightful home of amusement, the Palace, chief of London variety theatres, we were especially charmed by Professor Richard’s marvellous troupe of performing dogs. Lottie Collins, La Loie Fuller, the White-eyed Kaffir, and a host of other entertainers may each in their

way be charming, yet nothing to our mind comes up to the wonderful degree of excellence to which the professor has trained up his canine troupe. A couple of boxing dogs were excellent in their way ; while an Irish terrier turned somersaults in the air with marvellous rapidity. Then there was a pretty sable collie which jumped well, took his collar off, put it on, and did other tricks. A bulldog was extremely funny, creating roars of laughter, but the best of all was a perfect little play, in which a group of canine ladies and gentlemen walked about handsomely dressed, then retired, leaving a nursemaid and a baby, who immediately fell a victim to the villain of the piece, and was hurled into the water. Next the bulldog appeared on the scene, boldly springing to the rescue, while a boat manned by a crew of dogs rowed out to his assistance. So the baby was saved, though not before its mother had wept over it again and again, and the bulldog was rewarded for his valour. A simple story enough, yet well worthy of attention, for how any man, however patient, can train dogs to act long parts without a word of assistance is really marvellous.—Yorkshire Post.

There are several little bits of gossip (says an English paper) connected with the shows of late which are well worth noticing. At Derby, for instance, it is interesting to notice how the leading fanciers manage to make dog showing pay. Thus Mr Tinne, with the aid of his fox terriers, took close upon .£l4O out of the show ; then Mr Redmond is said to have won L 95, while the third on the list took .£6B. Another scrap of gossip. The collie judges are beginning to find that each man is judging according to his own sweet fancy. Thus we actually find two of our most famous judges differing as to what the points of a collie consist of. Who knows but that good may come of it ? Peradventure there is j 7 et time to save the collie. Is it surprising that the mastiff fanciers are beginning to wail over the fate of their favourites, as shown by the condition of the show benches at almost every leading exhibition ? Amongst all the large breeds which now flourish amongst us, and their name is legion, there is not one finer than the grand old English mastiff, and yet he is allowed to become almost as extinct as the Dodo.