KENNEL NOTES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1832, 17 April 1907, Page 17

KENNEL NOTES

(By “Fitzroy.”)

The British Bull-terrier Club is sending out to Melbourne two silver spoons for competition in the bull-terrier section at the Victorian Poultry and Kennel Club Show. At the South Australian Kennel and Poultry Club show, to bo bold during the last week m June, the South Australian Bulldog Club will give tern guineas cash for the best bulldog in Australasia, and ten guineas for the best bubdog bitch. Tlie prizes are open to all, and are to be won outright at the show mentioned. At a committee meeting of tlio Wellirgton Kennel Club, held on the 2nd inst,, there were present Dr A. W. Izard (in the chair), Messrs Jansen, Bernasconi, Adams, P. Smith, Rogers, Shepherd, Quinlan, Baine, Somerville, Levy, and Cutts. The report of the sub-committee appointed to revise the club rules was presented. The report was adopted with a few modifications, and at a general meeting of members, to be hold within the next few weeks, the revised rules will bo submitted for confirmation. In terms of club rule 8 it was pointed out that it was necessary to appoint two active vice-presi-dents to assist the president and committee in the control and management of the affai-s of the club. Messrs W. Janson and I. Levy were elected unopposed as vice-presidents. To fill the vacancy on the committee caused by Mr Janson’s new appointment, Mr Hans Scott, an enthusiastic worker, who acted on the last show sub-commit-tee, was elected. The club’s new entry form was adopted subject to the approval of tlio New Zealand Kennel Club. The following sub-committee w as set up to draw up the schedule for the club’s twenty-first annual show— Messrs Janson, Cutts, Baine, P. Smith, Bernasconi, and J. Adams. This subcommittee met on last Tuesday evening and carefully compiled a draft schedule to be presente 1 at tlio next committee meeting of the club. Yet another bulldog importation, one which was hinted at in. last week’s notes, has been effects I. By tho Warrimoo last Wednesday, Mr C. Cutts, of Ingestre street, Wellington, received from Mr Alban Gee, of Sydney, the well-known prize bulldog Bargemaster. The new importation is a massive, headed, slioit-backed, heavy-boned, sil-very-fawn dog, whelped on December 30th, 1904, so he is only about two years und three months old. Bargemaster is fairly wide in front, wide in jaw, with a splendid hook and a skull which measures 19-2 inches. Flo is not leggy, has a good short crank tail set on a shade high, and lie could preferably be shorter in the nose. He is full of quality and is a winnei of first prizes in good company in Sydney. Bargemaster is a half-brother to Mrs. A. E. Kernot’s . dog Arquebusior, as. the former dog is by Champion Arquebus ex Sweet Idol. His dam Sweet Idol is by Battle Royal ex Sweet Dreams. Bargemaster was weighed in my presence, and he tipped the beam at 581 b. In order to give fanciers an opportunity of a splendid chance to improve the national breed in New Zealand, Mr Cutts has decided to offer Bargemaster at stud. One of his recent visitors, Battledoor, a Sydney bitch, lias whelped a litter of seven. It would appear that society at Home has run riot over the pet-dog craze. According to a London journal, “tho latest item of luxury in the outfit of the pet dog is the pagoda kennel, to which Fifi wends liis way when lie is wearied by his mistress’s protestations of affection or an overdose of bon-bons, and craves immediate repose. The glorified kennel is placed in the cosiest corner of the drawing-room, close to the fire. It is a habitation built of light-weight wicker-work or wire, smothered under frills of mousseline de sole and real lace, such as point d Angle ten •, or arranged in frothy V alenciennes flounces, and on tlie topmost tier of these decorations is poised an enormous bow of pure white satin ribbon, into which is tucked a spray of white heather. The inside of the pagoda is luxuriously lined with white lambs’ wool, and a white satin cushion awaits Fifi’s tired little body, while near it are placed one or two of his favourite toys —the ball he delights to worry on the floor and the tinkling little bell his paw may fancy to engage in assault pendant from the roof.’* Mrs A. 0. Morley and Mr Bruce P. Hedderwick, of Melbourne, are interested in some bull-terrier importations from England. We hear that a bitch, White Magic (by Ilixem Wild ex Primrose Sweetheart), whelped on September of England, arrived at Melbourne by the Moravian a few days ago. Magic visited Millstone Hero before leaving England, and should present her owners with a family about April 17th. Millstone Hero is a big winner himself, winning amongst other prizes the Northern Bull-terrier Club’s £25 cup outright; he is by Bloomsbury Hero ex Millstone Floss. We are further informed that by the next Aberdeen liner the owners of Magic are expecting another bitoh, Lady Cromer, who is a big winner in England; she was to visit

Mrs Millner’s Sweetheart before leaving for Australia. These dogs will be quarantined at Mrs A. Morley’s “Holbeck” Kennel, Melbourne. Mrs Millnar is a well-known English fancier, and often acts as judge; she is hon. treasurer and hon. secretary of the British Bull-terrier Club, whose headquarters are at Bradford. In a recent communication from her we hear that the last time she officiated as judge was at Bolton, where there were fortythree entries in four classes, and some good specimens were shown. Mrs Millner adds: “I think bull-terrier owners all tlie world over should amalgamate in bringing to the front this most perfect terrier. The Bull-terrier Club and .the British Bull-terrier Club are working hand in hand in getting better classification and guaranteeing classes. Anr otlicr year’s hard work and in England our favourites will be as well catered for as any other breed.” As a step in the right direction we hear that the Victorian:' Poultry and Kennel Club are sending one of their club medals to tlie British Bull-terrier Club for competition at a show to be named by them; and wo understand that the show chosen is the Kennel Club Show in October at the Crystal Palace; in return for the medal the British Bullterrier Club is sending out to the V.P. and K.C. two of their club spoons, which will be competed for at the July show. We understand that this exchange of prizes has been arranged by Mr A. Morley, the well-known bullterrier fancier, of Melbourne. CRUFT’S DOG SHOW. / A correspondent of the Melbourne “Australasian” gives an interesting description of tlie famous annual event, Craft’s Dog Show, held in London a few weeks ago. He writs-s : Craft’s Show was a wonderful eyeopener to anyone who, like the writer, has only seen dog shows held in Australia, and made one realise how much we have yet to learn in canine matters. The “slio.v” was so vast that it was impossible in one visit to see or appreciate all the exhibits; the best way seemed to got a general idea of the whole, and to look more particularly at those breeds not yet introduced or popularised in our country. Tlie centre of the enormous Agricultural Hall, Islington, was divided off into judging-rings—two abreast, and yet there was not room for the bulk of the terriers, wlio were relegated to the gallery above. The rest of the ball was llilod with the dog benches; each dog had a liberal supply of straw, and his own reeding and drinking tin. Attendants dressed as sailors kept tho place scrupulously clean and sweet, and led out any dogs whose owners were not present at the judging. Old English sheep dogs were an interesting class; they sat stolidly on tlieir benches, looking about, as if interested in all that was going on, though, one wondered-.hew they could see with such a mass of liair combed over tlieir eyes The West Highland white terriers made a large class, and with their honest, intelligent faces looked the breed of dog one would like to see popular in Australia. The Welsh terriers, too, were tempting; they are very like tlie Irish terrier, with Airedale markings across the back, and were some of the most lively dogs benched. The “wires” were disappointing, especially in the coat—all too soft, and with an abominable curl. But one sees more “wires” than any other kind about tlie streets. They are evidently considered the best companions. Dalmatians, sharp-looking little Scliipperkes, whippets, Chows of every shade of colour, from a rich sable to a pale yellow ; woolly-looking Bedlingtons, graceful little Italian greyhounds, looking as if they had just walked out of some old painting, were all there. As for the toy dogs, they were in a smaller hall, separated by curtains from the main building. It was gaily decorated with flags suspended from the ceiling, and the ends of the benches were completely hidden by pot-plants, ferns, palms, etc. A good deal of ingenuity was shown in the decorating of the cages. One was all hung with yellow silk, tied up with red, yellow, and black ribbons, and a border of crochet stars to match hung from the top 1 Another was hung with scarlet turkey twill, with a cushion to match stuffed with straw. The small owner of this cage was not visible, as he had contrived to get inside the cushion, and could be heard busily scratching a nest inside for himself. Black pugs, with their coats shining like satin, were very handsome, and seemed full of character. One fellow sat with his head on one side scrutinising the passers-by, and sneering at them with fine oontempt. Griffons, with their monkey faces, were very amusing, but judging by their numbers “poms.” were the favourites in the toy section. Yorkshires were, few in numbers, and to the uninitiated looked oomical, with their hair and beards divided into sections and tied with ooloured thread. Pekingese were good classes. It is said that the fawncoloured are to be the fashion this year. The little Blenheim spaniels were very charming; one was having hia portrait painted, and seemed quite

to appreciate, and to be pToud of the fact. Quite a number of the toy section waa the number of artists hard at work with their paint brushes. One hears that they do quite a business at the different shows, as they can paint several dogs during the day.

THE CLYDESDALE TERRIER.

The standard of excellence of the Clydesdale terrier is as follows: Head.—The skull, which is slightly domed, should be narrow between the ears, gradually widening towards the eyes and tapering very slightly to the nose. It should be covered with long silky hair, .-perfectly straight, without any appearanoe of curl or waviness, and extending well beyond the nose. It should be particularly plentiful on the sides of the head, where it i 3 joined by that from the ears, giving the head a very large and rather heavy appearance in proportion to the size of the dog. The muzzle should be very deep and powerful, tapering very slightly to the nose, which should be large, and well spread over the muzzle, and must be always black. The jaws should be rather wide apart; they should be large, round, moderately full, but- not prominent ; expressive of great intelligence, and in colour various shades of brown. Ears.—-This is a most important point in this breed. They should be as small as possible, set on high and carried perfectly erect. They should be covered with long silky hair, which should hang in a beautiful fringe down the side of the head, joining that on the jaw (well carried, finely fringed ears is one of the greatest points of beauty in the breed, as it is also one of the most difficult to obtain). A badly carried and poorly feathered ear is a serious fault in a Clydesdale terrier. Neck.—-Should be rather long and very muscular, well set into the shoulders, and covered with the small class of hair as the body. Body.—The body should be very long, deep in chest, and well ribbed up; tho back perfectly level, not sloping from ■the loin to the shoulder, as in the Dandie. Coat.—The coat should be very long, perfectly straight, and free from any trace of curl or waviness, very glossy and silky in texture (not linty), and should be without any of the pily undercoat found in the Skye terrier. Colour. —The colours range from dark bluo to fawn, but those most to be dosired are the various shades of bluedark blue for preference—but without any approach to blackness or sootiness. The colour of the head should be a beautiful silvery blue, which gets darker on the ears; the back various shades of dark blue, inclining to silver on tho lower parts of the body and legs. Tho tail is generally the same_ shade ~or a' little darker than the back. Tail.—The tail should be perfectly straight, not too long, and carried almost level with the back; it must be nicely fringed or feathered. Legs and Feet.—The legs should ba as short and straight as possible, and well set under the body; both legs and feet well covered with silky hair (in a good specimen tlie legs are scarcely seen, as they are almost entirely hidden by the ooat). Style and General Appearanoe.—Tho general appearanoe is that of a long, low dog, having a rather large head in proportion to its size, and with a coat which looks like silk or spun glass. It shows generally more style or quality than almost any other fancy terrier, and has not the delicate constitution which makes the Yorkshire, Maltese, and others only fit for indoors. Standard Points.—Head and ears 15, neck 10, coat 20, tail 10, body 15, colour 10, legs and feet 5, style and general appearance 15.

THE COCKER SPANIEL

“Wattlebark” (of the Melbourne “Australasian' 3 ), a recognised authority on canine matters, says in reference to the Cocker Spaniel: “Small sized spaniels, weighing from 201 b, or even less, says Mr Dalziell, to 241 b. and of all colours—liver, black, white with liver or black, and in these flecked or mottled on face, legs, etc.— are still pretty numerous throughout the country, and many of them are as good as they are handsome, but at dog shows they are the exception, as they have been neglected fbr the larger springers. “As one of the most beautiful, intelligent and clever dogs, most useful, bustling and merry in covert or hedgrow, they should receive more encouragement —indeed, Avhen we consider the wide field of usefulness the Spaniel fills, and* the great number of very distinct varieties into which the family is subdivided, it is not too much to ask for still more classes for them at our shows. “I think we should have classes for Liver coloured Cockers, to include the Welsh, and Devon varieties, and also one for those of mixed colours, the maximum weight for each dais© to be 341 b; and I would take the points of the Black Spaniel with the following differences: “Tim nose is not so square at the end — i.e., it is very slightly tapered. The ears are smaller, lobe shaped and well fringed. The length of back is decidedly less i» proportion to height at the shoulder than in the - modern Field Spaniel. The coat

g- Ja eoti, silky, abundant, not qyite flat, -Im£'showing -a-Blight ■vrayuxiee&j notcurly. “Tiie Spaniel Club has, since the above; mi. penned, published itsi standard: bp which, Cockers a re t© be j udged, at chows, and it will'be seen.to.be,.in tbemain, an elaboration of my more general: and shorter description. • . „ '‘The- club recognises a special class ol Black dockers, end 1 a class which it calls 'Any Other Variety of Rocker Spaniels'; - but as the description- and scale of points are the; same, except as regards colour, t have put the two together, thus varying, without altering, the sense in which the club' evidently wishes ils description to be read; It will be noted; not without surprise' by, many;, that whereas the,Black > Springer or Field Spaniel and the docker iprifly hATO ftach 100 - negative or. b&d poiute the. more fortunate and perfect Norfolk supposed' never to have more than 10 : negative' points. ’ “in. the description of: the* eye,, tho word ‘gozzled’ is . used, but;- that I presume to, be a misprint for ‘goggled’— prominent or. staring—as there is no Engfjwli word ‘gozzled/ so far as I know. “Positive- points:—Head and jaw, 10; eyes,* 5; ears, 5; neck; 5; body, 15; fore legs, /10; hind legs, 10; feet, 10; stern, IQ;: coat and: feather, 10 ; general appearance, 10;-total positive points; 100. “Negative points:—Light eyes (undesirable,, but not fatal), 10 ; light nose (fatal), 15; curled* ears (very undesirable), 15; curled' coat (curly, woolly, or wiry), 20; carriage of< stem (crooked- or twisted), 20; topknot l (fatal), 20; total negativepoints. 100. ‘ f H©ad, —Not so heavy in proportion, and. net so high in occiput, as. in the modern Field Spaniel, with a nicely developed muzzle or jaw; lean, but not enipy, and yet not so square- as in the Clumber or Sxts&cx. varieties,' but- always exhibiting a sufficiently-wide and well: developed nose. Forehead perfectly smooth, rising without- a too. decided stop from muzzle into a comparatively wide and. rounded, well developed? skull; with plenty of room for brain powers - but not prominent, hazel oar.- brown-coloured; with a general expression, of; intelligence and - gentleness, though decidedly, wide awake,, bright and merry;, never gozzled or- weak, a© in the King! Charles t and' Blenheim kinds. “Bars.—Only moderate!y long,, and rather broader than in the large Field Spaniels; for when too long they are praoticaßy a; hindrance in* dense coverts; mid also, set- rather higher than in the beforeanentioned variety, . nicely protected. with, a sufficiency of wavy feather (never curled), Indeed; this merry and. „ most useful -old'world dog.should curry only-a truly sporting ear. “Neck:—Strong- and muscular, and neatly set on to fine sloping shoulders. “Body; (including Size, and Symmetry): —Not quite so long, and, low* as in- the other, breeds , of Spaniels, more compact and: firmly knit together, giving the impression- of a, concentration of power and untiring-'activity,; the total: weight should not exceed: 25lbv . “Nose;—Sufficiently wide, and well developed to ensure the exquisite ecentingpowersx of- this breed. Colour black in tho back, and in others dependent on the colour of ooat and markings. “Shoulders ' and' Chest.—The former eloping and fine; chest deep and well developed; bat not too wide and rcimd to interfere with*the /free Action of' the fore leigsi' “Back an Loin.—lmmensely, strong and .compact ih proportion to the size and weight of' the dog; slightly drooping towards the tail; ' " -- “Hind! Quarters: —Wide; well ; rounded and*:: very muscular, so-a© to ensure untiring,.action and; propelling' power in the nod trying circumstances' of;a long day,, bad., weather,, rough: ground; and dense eeverfc. “Stern.—That? most characteristic stamp of blue blood in all the Spaniel family-may/, in the lighter and more actrv© Coeker, although set low down, be allowed a- slightly- higher carriage than in the other breeds, but never cocked up aver,,but rather in a line with the back, though- the- lower its?carriage and actionthfcr better, and, when, at work, its action- ' *jbonld be incessant in this, the brightest *n3- merriest of the whole Spaniel family. “Feet- and Legs. —The .‘legs-must be weir boned;, feathered: and? straight, for the trmnendousu etxertion»;j expected from this; griuadi little sporting dog,, and! should be sufficiently short- for concentrated but not so short ae to interfere with, its full activity. Feet firm,.round and cab like, not: too: large, spreading and loose jointed: This, distinct breed of Spaniel-does-not follow exactly in; the lines of the' larger Field‘-Spaniel, either in lengthincse, lowneas, or otherwise, but is shorter in back and rather higher' on the legs. “Coat.—Flat ox* waved, and silky in texture. Never wiry, woolly or curly, with sufficient feather of the right sort — viz., waved or, setter like—but not too. profuse,. and? never curly, "TTolonr;—Jet, black;, a white shirt frill should never disqualify; but whitefeet should! not be allowed in any specimen of; self colour;. “General ; Appearance.—Confirmatory of; all;indicated? above, viz., a concentration of ‘ pure blood: andj ,type; sagacity; docility, good: temper, affection and activity. “The other colours -are black and tan-, Ever-and! tan, black tan and- white, liver fan-rand; whitedemon and’ white, white; roans, and; in fact; nearly any combination or? blending-of colours: “The- club—with 1 think;, good judgment—recognises: that; in colour, the eye ; andxnose vary to some extent in the different" coloured Spaniels, corresponding* with the- cqlour.- or- ooat; "I; have quoted, the- description of ; ' ~ points- verbatim; and'-' disclaim responsibility- for the language used; which- in in several instances—notably in. the deecrip-. VEkw: of “ eterm—so complicated'! as- to be. ratiier puzßling; If we compare the some-" . wbati inflated l language used? to describe the head of the Black Spaniel, with its •-distinctly, elevated: occipital/ tuberosity;'’' which is said to; ‘convey the conviction: •f high breeding, character md* nobility-/* with tlte> description? oFthe; head 4 " of r the. Ooeker, which* is ?* ‘n ot : apx high in; occaput/ one? would: naturally infer that the bead off this *variety.>■ does> mot! convey- the* -

But against that, we told i )he Uocker’s* stem, when it is-a proper Rfiera, as a 'most characteristic stamp of blue blood'; and. the Cooker is said to be ‘the most, useful old, world sporting dog/ which is, perhaps, after - all, a better quality, for a dog than blue blood a-ad nobility. It strikes me as very cur-avis that the club should say tbM th» <Arik©r -‘should* carry only a sporting ear/ -for the natural inference is that other breeds of Spaniel may carry a truly non-sport-ing, ear. Of conns© we must presume the club to mean, by a sporting §a*r, flinch an ear as from its formation is calculated to- help, noc to hinder, a sporting dog in its. work; and' this being so specially referred to? as a characteristic of the Cocker, I am disposed to agree with the sporting Devon parson whom I heard declare of certain prize Field Spaniels, that leave their ears behind them in the first furze bush they attempted to go through. ‘ . “It i® frtnnate that the valuable breed of Cocker Spaniels is dependent on practical sportsmen, and not on shows and clubs, else, might we say, in the style of Touchstone, ‘Thou art in a parlous state, Cocker/ “There is a craving for large, heavy, big bones, very general in the exhibiting world, and it demanded in place and out of place. A heavy boned d*og cannot be the active, merry, untiring worker it is desired a Cocker should be. It would be as reasonable to expect a dray house, however compactly built, to do the xvork of. a liunter.” Th© chief facto ns in the production of health to tip-top exhibition condition, according to Frank Townend Barton, M.R.C.V.S., are judicious feeding, wellregulated exercise and cleanliness. As regards feeding, he advocate? giving food according to the amount of work to be performed—the income must be equal to the expenditure. The food eaten and the air taken in must be equal to the loss of weight by bodily waste. Deficiency of food means loss of weights Excess results in undue fattening. He say® that though a flesh diet is very suitable, there iig abundant evidence that a mixed dietary is better. Where only one or two dogs are kept nothing is more suitable than table refuse. A free, supply of fresh and pure water is indispensable. If a dog’s system is belbw par it may be assisted by way o - preparation for exhibition by the daily use of a dessertspoonful of cod liver oil and malt extract. Fowler’s solution of arsenic, given in from 3 to 10 or 15 drops daily, improves the skin and coat. Any simple irritation about the Skin may be allayed by dusting the part with boracic acid powder and starch—l part of the former to 30 parts of the latter. In oi'der to reduce weight plenty of exercise and liquid food may be allowed. When it comes-to a matter of half a pound or so, do not feed till after judging. The application of a little lanolin© imparts a gloesv appearance to the liair when required. The sub-committee appointed by the Wellington Ivennel Club's management comm ittee to revise the club rules met on, the evening of, March 25 and completed its task. The results were placed before the committee* last Tuesday, and later will be brought for discussion before a general meeting of club members.

NSW SOUTH WALES NOTES*

(By a Sydney Correspondent.) The Rev. R. McKeown, of Sydney, the well-known breeder of Irish terriers, including Mr Janson's Lurgan Lanty, has severed his connection with the Kennel dub of New South Wales. I; hear that Mr McKeown’s ; many friends are astonished that he remain-ed-in the Club so long; for he was for several years a member of the committee and latterly a vice-president, fighting an uphill game with characteristic pluck and: little assistance. Both committee' and general meetings were held by that very vigorous body, the British-Terrier Club of Australia. The club’s president, the Rev. R. McKeown, occupied the chair. Strongly-worded resolutions condemning the absence of adequate veterinary * examination of the dogs and a requisite- number of water tins at the Easter Show held by the R.A. Society •of N.S.W; were passed and ordered to be sent to the society, and to the Kennel Club of N.S.W., under whose rules- the show was held. Further complaint' was made of the indiscriminate way-in which challenge and championship* certificates- were issued. ■An* objection to; an exhibit on the ground of incorrect entry was ordered to be lodged. Further new members were-elected/ and at the general meetling the* following report was adopted;— THE BRITISH-TERRIER CLUB, OF ; AUSTRALIA. COMMITTEES REPORT. Your committee has deemed it desirable to take advantage- of the* probable presence in? Sydney j during Easter, of several country members, of the BvitishTerrier Club of Australia to summon a general meeting of members on April 2nd, so that an account of its work during even the short period’ of ’ the club’s existence* may be- submitted; It is a pleasurable feature to be able to announce a membership of- thirtysix. l It has been thought desirable to endeavour to obtain the official; recognition’ of the Kennel Club, but it is feared/that the constitution of the parent of all-canine governing bodies prevents •the affiliation of' more specialist clubs. Your committee is- deeiiiiow. that- tb*

Britiah-Terxier Club of Australia shall support the various canine governing bodies of the Commonwealth; and more especially, owing to its proximity t.o the club’s hoadquarters, the Kennel Club of New South. Wales, in whatever measures they may adopt towards good government, and will continue to point out anything requiring investigation. Your committee has not been able to expend any of the club's funds in the usual way by the offer of special prizes at .shows, because it did not think it would be doing its duty by supporting terriers at the “Royal” show without being in a position to approve of tho judge appointed, nor s it considered desirable to support an/ show extending over an entire week. The only other show held during the club’s existence has been tlia + of the Newcastle Agricultural Society, which, apparently did not seek any assistance. Notwithstanding, the club is doing good work in endeavouring to redress evils, and has courteously and in a dignified manner protested both to the Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W. and to the Kennel Club ol N.S.W., under whose rules the show is held, against the duration, of the .Master exhibition and the secrecy observed ie-gardin-g the judge. Your committee would suggest the desirability of arranging matches between terriers, irrespective of their belonging to members or not, to take place at re-unions similar to the famous and popular functions, known as ‘ Leg-of-mutton Suppers,” of the London Bulldog Society and kindred clubs- at Home. Your committee, which anticipates a very successful and useful career for the club, will carefully deal with matters of policy and duty as they may arise. While it is not deemed desirable that actual persuasion should be resorted to, to induce fanciers to join the British Terrier Club of Australia, it is hoped that members will embrace every opportunity of bringing the club’s work before owners of terriers, which your committee has no doubt will lead to an immense increase in the members’ roll. It. McKKOWN, President.

THE BORZOI ©R RUSSIAN WOLF

The following letter, which appeared recently in the English “Stockkceper,” should interest all admirers of the graceful Borzoi: — The editor of the “Journal of Hunting and Shooting,” which: is the organ of the Kieff section of the -Imperial Hunt Society, asks me, as one of its correspondents, to translate for your journal, the “ Stock keeper.” the description of the typical Borzoi, published in Nr. 13. I accept with great? pleasure. I am obliged to add to the description some personal remarks and explanations, because it was written for Rus-dan hunting -men, and may in some parts be unintelligible to foreigners. Tile description begins by the definition of wliat must be called the general appearance:— “The general appearance of the Borzoi is nobl i and elegant. This is shown m the shape of tho head, t-he silkiness and brilliancy of the hair, and even in the gait, which should, bo full of euergy and grace. The different points of the dog, taken separately,, have no value in the general appearance ; the dog may have defects in head properties, in the body, in the legs, the coat may be too short, but nevertheless its air of nobility and elegance, its blue blood aspect, will indicate purity of breeding. Only pure blood and careful breeding for several generations will impart this look, which excites the admiration of, connoisseurs of Borzois and all other .lovers of dogs. “It is a pity that nowadays many of our sportsmen surrender general appearance for perfection in other points, so that the Borzoi of high and noble quality is becomine: rare. “The pur j race of the Borzoi is? characterised by the shape of the head, the; ear, and by the. tail; Many breeders concentrate their attention upon the head, and disdain the-tail.” “We find, on the contrary; that the tail is one of the most characteristic points of race, because its thinness, its .elasticity, and its shape, which resembles a reaping hook (a), among all the Russian breeds (we consider the Crimean and Caucasian varieties as Russian) belong exclusively to the Borzoi tb). “Muzzle slightly arched and forehead prominent are typical of; the Borzoi,, but when the arch is too pronounced or the forehead too prominent, they are* faults. “The skull must be long, oval to the sides, and have a small slip to theback part of the head, finishing by a prominency sharp enough and*, well pronounced. Every ether, form is not typical; “The muzzle is long, thin, and _clean, the* nostrils rather large, and slightly projecting over the lower jaw. The nose! must be. black (c); ; “The eye must be full, and of oblong shape (an oblique-eye is a defect, •'and! a round: one is not typical);- it -must be of ' a dark colour- in a dark? lihing (4)- H»- expression is austere], Tin*: certainly nM/whsanv indoors <w*

when, the dog is caressed, but at liberty or while hunting. “The ear is small, thin (its thinness is a proof of high blood); having the form of a wedge. It must be very mobile, and is sometimes carried erect like a horse’s ear (e). “This last quality is one of the best proofs of high birth. The hair that" covers the ear must be. very short, soft as satin, and must not grow in bunches. The dog should carry its neck like an English greyhound, but the Borzoi’s neck is shorter, and is not so straight. r ]'ho shoulders should be flat and well seen; the elbows must not be turned outwards, but should bo clear of the sides of the dog. “The arch of the back of a dog must be quite regular and make no impression of a hump. The arch seems higher than it really is. because tho hind part of the dog is higher than the fore part. The bitch has the back less arched, but even a high arch must not be considered as a great defect. “The ribs of the Borzoi must descend as low as the elbow. They can be either flat or round, their form depending upon the breadth of the back; but they must never bo too round (f). The ribs must gradually get smaller to the stomach. The stomach is drawn in and quite hidden behind the groin. The groin of a dog must be small, the leso the better. A bitch must have it longer. “The hind quarters are long and broad. The dog is. more sloping than the bitch. A short and drooping loin is a great defect, because it forces the hind: legs to be quite straight (g). “The fore legs are quite straight. The bone must be flat from the side, and not round. The foot resembles that of a hare (li), with toes of medium length. On each toe grows, a bunch of hair, long and thin (,i). T3ie under part of the paw is of an oblfog form. “The hind legs are parallel one to another, slightly set back (not t-00. much). “The thighs are fiat, with very broad bones. The muscles are flat, long, and firm. “The tail is thin, but strong in it® beginning, growing gradually thinner and thinner to the end ; it must be elastic, have the form of a sickle, and be of medium length. Its upper part is covered with curly hair, but the hair on the lower part is long andslightly undulated. “The hair of the dog- is curly on the neck, slightly wavy on the hack of the dog—as far as the loins—and again mere wavy on the thighs, much shorter on the sides, but falls long and. satin like from the chest. “Personally, we admit as typical oolour of the hair only white, grey; yellow and white spotted with grey and yellow (j). “For my part I can add: that I find this description is the best of all ever, published in Russia., “Being a great lover of Russian greyhounds, psovi as we call them, or Borzois as filmy, are called in Europe.(“Borzois” in. Russian means-greyhound of any race), I would' be most happy to do my best for the extension of knowledge concerning this breed of dogs, so that if you desire, sir, for your journal any news of Borzois, of the way we hunt with them, portraits or pictures representing our dogs-, with necessary explanations, I shall be very glad, to furnish your journal—the 'Stockkeeper’-rtvith alb such materrials. I beg you, sir, to accept the expression of my most respectful; sentiments. “ARTEMI BOLDAiREFF. “Member of the Imperial Hunt Society, Moscow. “Member and. founder of the Society for: Encouragement of’ Field Qualities of Hunting Dogs, St. Petersburg.” (a) A comparison very popular-among Russian hunters. —A.B. (b) The editor forgets .the greyhounds of Poland, whose tails are- exactly of the same shape as the Borzoi, only:’ covered with very -short hair. _ (c) nose not sufficiently-black, even when it has- the colour* of flesh, must not be considered as * a proof of bad race. It is simply a symptom of. poorness of blood: —A.B. (d) A light eye and . the absence? of a dark lining represent the same defect as a light nose.—A.B. (e) A favourite comparison with Russian amateurs. —A.B. (f) Not so round; as the; sides: of an, English greyhound.—A.B. (g) Many huntsmen begin to prefer'a sloping loin. The reason is that this*. ! form was common to the majority- of coursing winners in Russia.—-A.B. (h) Comparison generally used by Russian: amateurs. We consider a cat foot a fault for Borzois.—A.B. (i) Not for dogs in field A.B. (j) All our amateurs were, quite- astonished when we heard: that a blaok dbg (I think its name was Argos) was proclaimed champion in England* This colour is one of the first proofs of a great deal of Crimean or Caucasian bioodl —A.B.