KENNEL NOTES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1851, 28 August 1907, Page 16

KENNEL NOTES

(By “Fitzroy.”)

- THE BULL HOG. Theo. Marples, editor of “Our Dogs,” in his 1906 revision of Ve-ro Shaw’s work “Ho To Choose a Dog,” says—“Ait the present time the bulldog is perhaps the most fashionable of all his kind, and certainly the variety commands the highest prices. Only quite recently two dogs, Champion Rodney Stone and Champion Heath Baronet, have been sold to American buyers at <£looo each, whilst Royal Stone and Regal Stone were purchased by English exhibitors for .£BOO and .£SOO respectively, and instances of price© over the 'century’ being given for single specimens are quite common.” Points.—Skull as large as possible, Suite square and not tapering towards tie eyes, but with a deep dent between them—called the “stop,” and covered with loose wrinkles. The longer the skull from , eye to ear the better. Muzzle very wide, well filled up under the eyes and turned tip at the lower jaw, which should project considerably beyond the upper. - ' Nose large and absolutely black, with big nostrils. The teeth in each jaw should be regular and the tusks a© wide apart as possible, whilst the upper lip or “chops” should be heavy and pendulous. Eyes full but not goggle, dark in colour,, and set well apart. Ears small and “roee-shaped,” i.e. carried so that the tips lie back, showing the insides, and set on high at the corners of the head and as far back from the eyes as possible. The cheek bumps should be well displayed. Neck rather short, very powerful and with a double dewlap. Chest very wide, and deep sloping shoulders. Fore legs extra heavy in bone and muscle, well out at shoulder, having the appearance of' being tacked on to the body, short, with large well-knuckled feet. Back short, tucked up and arched in loin. Hind legs longer than the front ones, and straight at the hocks, which are near to the ground. Tail set on low—which with the arched loin helps to form the “roach” or “wheel” form of back which it is desired to procure—small and short, with a knot or twist at its setting on, and carried downwards. Coat short and rather fiiie, though close, colours bundle© of varying shades, fawn, red and pied of these colours, also pure white. Black markings are most objectionable, whilst a yellow or light-coloured . nose, called a “Dudley-nose,” should disqualify any dog of the breed. Points to look for in a puppy six weeks old: a big square skull, big bone, dark eyes, short back, and short tail. Points to look for in a puppy sax months old: In .addition to the above: a wide, well turned up under jaw, good filling up under the eyes, small ears, wide chest, well sprung ribs, short, well roached back, tail carried low. Average at which the breed arrives at maturity : dogs two and a half yeans, bitches about two years. Following is the list of point values as adopted by the British Bulldog Club of New Zealand:—Chest and neck, o points (shortness, 1; thickness, 1; dewlap, 1; arch, 1; width, depth and roundneas oi chest, 1). Shoulders, 5 points (size, 2; breadth, 2; muscle, 1). R°dy, o points (depth and thickness of brisket, 2; capacity and roundness of ribs, 3). Back and roach, 5 points (shortness, 2; width of shoulder, 1; shape, strength and arch of loins, 2). Fore legs, 5 points (stoutness, H; shoulders, 1; development, 1; feet 1$). Hind legs, 5 points (stoutness’, 1; shortness, 1; development, 2; feet, 1). Mouth, 5 points (width and squareness of jaw, 2; projection and upward turn of lower jaw, 2; size and condition of teeth, 1). Chops, 5 points (breadth, 2; depth, 2; complete covering of front teeth, 1). Face, 5 points (shortness, 1; breadth and squareness, 1; depth, 1; shape and upward turn of muzzle, 1; wrinkles, 1). Stop, j points (depth, 2; breadth, 2; extent 1). Skull, 15 points (size, 5; height, 1; breadth and squareness, 3; shape, 2; wrinkles, 4). Eves, 5 points (position, 2; size, 1; shape, 1- colour, 1). Ears, 5 points (position, l| shape, 14; size, H; thinness, 1). Size, 5 points. Coat, 5 points. Tail, o points. General appearance, 10 points.

The annual meeting of the British Bulldog Club of New Zealand was held at Goober’s rooms, Cuba street, on the 14th inst. There were present: Messrs C. Barton (in the chair), J. Fairley, R. Bailey C. E. Cutts, R. Haines, H. Wheeler, J. Mollier, W. Davey, and A. Minogue. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from the president, Mrs A. E. Kernot, regretting her inability to attend, and submitting her resignation, which was accepted with regret Mr Davey also wrote forwarding his resignation from the position of secretary, but, at the unanimous request of the meeting, withheld it until after th.i forthcoming show of the Wellington Kennel Club. Proposed by Mr Cutts, and seconded by Mr Mollier, that Mr J. Smith be elected president; carried unanimously. The following gentlemen were elected as a management committee:—C. E. Cutts, H. Wheeler, C. Barton. A. Minogue,and R. Bailey. Mr J. Mollier was unanimously re-elected treasurer, and Mrs A. E. Kernot was elected vice-president. Accounts amounting to <£2 18s Id were passed for payment. After discussion it was decided to offer a challenge cup for competition at the forthcoming Wellington Kennel Club show, for the best New Zealandbred brace of 'bulldogs, the cup to be won twice ’ in succession or three times

at intervals before becoming the property of any competitor, and no award to be made unless three financial members compete. An interim balance-sheet was submitted, showing that the club is in a sound financial position. Mr A. B. Heather, of Wanganui, was "elected a member of the club. The secretary was instructed to write to unfinancial members asking that their subscriptions be paid by the 20th inst. The meeting jjblosed with a hearty vote of thanks to «fche chair.

THE BTJLLTERRIER.

(By Theo. Marples.) This breed was originally made up by crossing the bulldog and the English terrier, the object being to produce a fighting dog. It can scarcely, therefore, be regarded as other than a pugilistic oaie. Notwithstanding this fact, if properly looked after when a puppy, and kept-under control as he grows up, the builterrier is a capital dog for a country gentleman,' as he takes water well, is dead game, and is a most efficient guard to person and property. A© may naturally be expected, many bullterriers possess a savage disposition, which renders it impossible for them to enjoy full liberty without danger to other dogs; but, on the other hand, it is an undoubted fact that the. breed suffers generally for the vices of a few of its members; in fact, a« a race, the builterrier is a much and most unfairly maligned variety. * Points. —Head wide and flat, gradually tapering to the muzzle which should be very powerful, and well-filled up in front of the eyes, any approach to snipeyneeis being a bad fault. Nose large and black, a little inclined to be “Roman” in form. The teeth must, be dejad level and big, eyes . obliquely set, small and jet black. Ears email, fine and carried like those of a foxterrier. The whole head should be wedge-shaped and quite free from any bumps or hollows except for the shallow groove which runs up the skull. Lips should be free from all superfluous lumber and be kept tight to the gums. Legs strong, of a fair length, and set on to long sloping shoulders. Chest wide and deep. Forelegs of a moderate length, set •on well under the body, both dead straight and heavy in bone, the feet being compact and round. Body well sprung about the ribs, powerful at loin, and short in back. Hindlegs very muscular, and not too much bent ax the hocks. Tail short and fine, and carried straight out. Coat short and rather harsh. Colour for show purposes must be white though pied or marked red. and bundle bullterriers are met with. The weight varies from 551bs to 141bs. Average ago at which the breed arrives at maturity —2 years. It is known that in the days when the two-up schools were prevalent in Sydney (says the Sydney “Morning Herald”) that the monotony of “heading ’em” was sometimes varied by dog-fight-ing. The bullterriers which took part in these savage contests were kept on the chain, fed on raw meat, and otherwise rendered a.s savage as possible. In these contests the dogs wore broad iron collar© to protect their necks, so thav while they might be maimed and bettered and chawed, the deadly hold on the jugular vein might be avoided. However, such wae the cunning of the dogs that they did much of their fighting practically on the ground, and instead of springing in the air for top-holds they mianooeuvred to' grip the paws of their opponents. Once the sharp, steelsnap teeth shut on a paw it was all up with the held one. The paw would be torn oft' or so frightfully wounded that its possessor had to retire from the fight. The dogs were kept to corners, and f'ousrht in rounds, and if one dog failed to leave his corner to attack in his turn, the other was declared the winner. The injuries inflicted were rarely fatal. In these contests large barrels of water were kept alongside the ring, eo that when ■ dogs were ©till in deadly holds, from which they could not be separated by physical force, they could be got apart by partial smothering in the water. The charge for admission to these places was ss, aaid betting was vigorous. Some of the detectives of the city may have hau suspicions that dog fighting did tak* place, but as. in the case of a good many laws which rise above the depraved tastes of a section of the community, the laws were skilfully evaded, and secrecy maintained within the recognised circle.

The prize schedule of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s twenty-second grand annual show to hand. The dates for the show are October 30th, 31st, and November Ist, and entries for the dog section close at 9 p.m., Friday, October 11th, at the secretary’s office (J. C. Lane, secretary), Palmerston North. The challenge classes comprise Irish setters, black cocker spaniels, any other colour cockers, and rough-coated collies.

The Monowai brought several dogs from "Sydney recently, including an Irish setter tor Mr E. Stanfud, Wellington- a young Chow dog from A. Green for’Mr J. Matthews, Lyttelton; a pair of pugs for Mr J. 11. Gray, Lyttelton; one kelpie puppy for J. R. McKenzie, Lyttelton; and a pair of Australian terriers, with one puppy of the same breed, for Mr Jas. Caider, Dunedin.

Mrs Waters, of Toorak (says the Melbourne “Leader”), has sold the Pomeranians, Springfield Rex, to Mr Lewis, of New Zealand, and Mossey to Mr O’Bryan, also of Maoriland. As anticipated, Mrs Waters reports there has been a great demand for her Pomeraniari. puppies, and all she had for sale have been disposed of.

The Australian Terrier Club held their second show of puppies on Tuesday evening, July 80th, in the Eastern Arcade, Melbourne. There was a good attendance of visitors, and the entries (45) were highly satisfactory. In order to give the novices a chance, three owners of champions withdrew their dogs from competition. Mr W. Poole acted as judge, and by the remarks made seemed to give general satisfaction. During the evening a parade was held, and a

sweepstake, for which a good entry was procured.

Five purebred Samoyede puppies, the, progeny of the sledge dogs that took part in the last Antarctic expedition, were sold by auction at Tattersall’s Bazaar, Melbourne, recently. They were bred by Mr A. W. Traill, of Stewart Island, New Zealand.

Mr W. T. Wright is to judge dogs at the Brisbane National. Mr C. Court Rice will officiate the Newcastle Kennel Club show, and Mr C. S. Turner will act similarly at the Hobart Kennel Club show in September.

Dogs in New Zealand (says Mr J Maude, in the Sydney “Sun”) are mak-' ing rapid strides, and dog shows become more popular yearly in the land of the Huia bird But the promoters of dog shows are making a grave error in appointing one judge for several consecutive shows, because (unlike poultry) dog fanciers are few in number, and seem anxious to share in all the good things offered in both islands. But there is nothing more certain than that if a£ dog; goes under at one show his owner is not going to court second or third defeats by trotting him from Dunedin to Auckland, merely to foster societies which, show want of foresight in having th« same man to judge right along the line. The Wellington Kennel Club, whose show comes last of the season, has wisely left the beaten track, and should hav® a good entry under Mr Court Rice next month. A meeting of the Wellington Kennel Club’s ©bow sub-committee was held on Monday week. There were eighteen present, and a large amount of routin® work was accomplished. The Bulldog Club wrote offering a challenge cup for competition at the forthcoming show, which was accepted with thanks. , Mr F. Clarke also announced, on behalf of a small committee of workers, including Messrs W. Janson and H. James, that by public subscription two solid silver challenge cups had been obtained (valued ten guineas each) for competition annually at the Wellington JKennel Club’s show for best Irish terrier dog or bitch, ae the case may be. These cups are to be won three times before becoming the absolute property of the winner, not necessarily in succession, or by the same exhibit. The offer of the cups was accepted with thanks to Mr Clarke and his fellow workere.

Mr P. Smith, committeeman of th® Wellington Kennel Club, sustained the lose of his painter dog. Bylands Boaster, who died a f n w days ago on his return from the Auckland show. Mr Ben Fuller, vice-president of the same club, lias lost his valuable skye terrier puppy bitch, which succumbed from internal troubles. This little skye possessed rr.anv promising features end wa© bred by Mrs Sturrock, of Sydney. Mr F. Clarke, committeeman of the Wellington Club, lost a very fine Irish terrier bitch mrnnv l°st week, also from an internal complaint.

“TECHNICAL TERMS.”

The technical terms used in describing the points of a dog are as follows: Anple-be^ded.—The roundneas of the skull. Belton (blue or lemon) —A nam® applied to flecked or Laverack setters. Babbler—A d !l g that gives tongue in working when he ought to be mute. Bln ze —The white mark up the face. Brisket —The front of the chest, between the forelegs. Bruch—The tail. Butterfly Nose—One spotted with white to a considerable extent. Cat-footed—Having the toe--, well knuckled up, making the foot short and round. Coat—The hair covering the skin. Cobby—Nicely ribbed up, compact in form, like a cob horse. Crest—The upper ridge of the neck. Couplings—The length between the shoulder blade and hip joint. Cow-hocked— The hock joints turning inwards, and feet outwards. Dew-lap—The loose skin under the throat, such as seen in the bloodhound. Dew Claws —The extra toes or claws found on the legs just above the feet. Dishfaced—Having the nos® higher at the tip than the stop. Dudley Nose—A flesh or liver-coloured nos®. Elbow© Out—Having the elbowß standing out from the body. Faking—Dyeing, clipping, powdering, or otherwise interfering with the dog’s coat, dropping th® ears by cutting the tendons, or attempting to deceive a judge by ■ artificial means. Flag—The tail; chiefly applied to setters. Flat-sided—Ribs almost straight instead of barrel-shaped. Flews —The hanging lips. Frill —The mass of feather on a long-coated dog’s chest and throat. Fiddle-headed—A long, ill-pro-portioned head. Hare-foot—A long, narrow foot. Haw—The red inside eye-lid and lower part of eye. Huckle-bones The tops of the hip joints. Leather— The skin, generally applied to that of the ear. Lippy—A term applied to the hanging lips of dogs, where such should not exist. Level—ln teeth, when .the front teeth of both jaws meet evenly. Leggy—Too long in leg compared, with, the body; ill-proportipned. Mane—The coat on the top of the neck extending to the shoulders; example, the collie. Pig-jawed —The upper teeth extending considerably over the lower jaw. Filey —A term applied to the coats of dogs who have a mixture of hard and soft hair. --Pipe-stopper—A tail the same thickness from tip to set on. Prick-eared-Applied to a dog with erect ears. Rose-ear-Tn this ear the tip.turns downwards and backwards, and the inner side is exposed. Stern—The tail. Sti The curve from .top joint on the f nf fho thiah, facing the fore leg 6. bnipy -A very weak muzzle. Stop-An indentation between the W marking the union of the frontal with the _ nasal hone? Throatiness-A term applied to te skin about the throat; a modified IS of dew-lap. Thumb MarkmgsA black spot or smudge on the front .of th© paws above the tees, as m tne black and tan or Manchester terriers, fimhp Ear—Half-pricked ear. Undershot—Having the lower jaw projecting beyond the upper. Well Sprung—Ribs well rounded.

Dog lovers are hopeful that the Royal Commission which has just been apSointed to , inquire into the causes of istemper (says the London. ‘‘Daily News 3 ’) will be able to suggest some means whereby the scourge may be °7 come. It is a lamentable fact, that, whilst there are'many who believe distemper can be avoided with the help of reasonable care, the loss of dogs ~ through this disease is as great as ever. Even kennels over which the utmost supervision is exercised are not free from the visitation. Owners of hunting dogs, in particular, are very keen upon making the most - exhaustive investigations, and there are no fewer than four Masters of Foxhounds on the Royal Commission. This preponderance, indeed, has led to some comment. Why, it is asked, is the Kennel 'Club unrepresented? _ An official of the Kennel Club, however, told a “Daily News” representative that that institution, had no special claim to be officially represented. “We are concerned chiefly,” he pointed out. "with the superintendence of shows and things of that kind, so that the cure of distemper does not enter directly into our work as a body. Of course, we see that* every precaution is taken to prevent infection at shows, but beyond that we do not go.” “I have never heard of a real cure for distemper in dogs, - ” remarked an expert to. the “Daily News” representative. “I am aware that certain gentlemen claim to have found a cure, but the claim remains to be put to conclusive test. The percentage of dogs that die from distemper every year is a large one, and many i valuable and well-kept dogs are lost in this way. Yet experience shows that distemper is not inevitable. It is. not one of the phases of existence, through which, as some people think, a dog is bound to pass! I know of cases in which dogs brought up from puppydom by owners who were certainly not expert have escaped distemper. Much depends upon environment, and where numbers of dogs are reared together the risk is increasingly great. The question is a difficult and perplexing one, but no doubt the Royal Commission will be able to frame some rules for the abatement ' of the evil.

The hardy breeds of dogs should take no harm from going out in wet weather. The only breeds which are at a*ll likely to suffer are those with unnatural, thin, silky coats, which get saturated in a few minutes, curl (and part, and let the wet through to the skin. Even then no evil results will follow if the dog is not forced to stand about in the cold wind and if it is thoroughly dr’ed immediately on its return to the kennel. The dog is naturally provided with a wiry outercoat of greasy heirs to throw off the wet; beneath which is a thick felt-like under coat, which not onlv prevents moisture penetrating to the skin, but affords a perfect protection against the inteneest cold. This natural coat is lost in most if not all our domesticated varieties, in some intentionally, and others unintentionally, and the’result is that our dogs undoubtedly suffer considerably in very ©old weather, and we are in .consequence liable to a number of minor disorders unknown among their wild relatives.

A correspondent asks if the progeny of a fawn pug dog and a black png bitch is considered a cross-bred. Concerning this subject, on January Ist, 1906. +he following notice was issued by the Eng- • lish Kennel Club:— £r When varieties of a bre°d which are identical in type, character, and outward formation, and differ only in colour or texture of coat, are intercrossed, no outcross shall be deemed to have be°n made; and the progeny of such intercross must be registered and exhibited under the headings of their respective varieties, as hitherto. This wu. apply - to the following breeds:— . Bassethounds, Smooth and Bough. . Retrievers, Flat-coated and Labrador. - Fox Terriers, Smooth and Wire. Skye Terriers, prick-eared and droopeared. Bulldogs (Bulldogs, and Bulldogs Miniature). , St. Bernards, Rough and Smooth. Newfoundlands, Black and White and Black, or other than black. Collies, Rough and Smooth. Toy Spaniels, King Charles or Black-and-tan, Blenheim, Ruby or Red, and Tricolour. Pugs, Fawn and Black.” According to the New Zealand Kennel Club, registration form, the fawn and black pug ‘are two different breeds, but tins doe© not prevent say a black pug, which has been sired by a fawn, from competing in the black pug class. Is the historic bloodhound doomed to extinction ? Mr A . Harold Stockyer, an English breeder, wrote some time ago:— "It is, something to be thankful for that bloodhound breeders have apparently at last arrived at the conclusion that another outcross is imperative. W hen 75 per cent; of young hounds never reach maturity, and of the remaining 25 per cent, at least 12 per cent, are useless for any serious- hunting, because a long day makes them lie down and wish to die; then, in. the opinion of any sound hunting man, not absolutely blinded by prejudice, it is about time sonic fresh blood was introduced.” NEW SOUTH WALES NOTES. (By a Sydney Correspondent.) The British Terrier Club of Australia held another committee meeting on August 12th. The hon. treasurer was directed to draw a cheque in payment of the special prizes donated at Auckland show. The following resolution was unanimously carried: "That the hon. secretary be instructed to draw the attention of the New Zealand ; Kennel Club to the registration, by that body, of the names of well-known dogs and of the prefixes of old-established kennels, with a view to devising some means of avoiding a prac- • tice which vis confusing, and conducive %lree d ’ fanciers, two of New Zealand find one of Queensland, were proposed as members. c

A considerable number of matches between terriers were arranged for the 28th inst., when Mr Geo. Hardman, so well-known in Great Britain as a successful exhibitor of Irish fox terriers, and now resident in -Sydney, will make the awards.

What, in the opinion of most people, was the best Airedale terrier dog ever seen at the antipodes, in Jim Dandy is dead, another victim to that fell disease distemper, and another example of the need of adequate veterinary examination at our shows. Jim Dandy only appeared at three shows, making his debut at that of the Kennel Club of New South Wales last November, where ho won four firsts and the challenge certificate, repeating the performance, except that he could only compete in one class at the lato show of the Queensland Kennel Club, whence he returned to die. Of the absurdity of his defeat at the Sydney “Royal” enough has been said. The death of such a dog is a very serious blow to the Airedale terrier fancy, and aLthough lie left some progeny of merit behind him there are no brothers or sisters, for although “Jim” was of a family of thirteen all the others were hitches, and as is, alas, too frequently the custom, they were all drowned in their very early youth. According to the catalogue of the late Manly (.Sydney) show, the Kennel Club of JNew South Wales has revised its rules during the current year. Despite the fact that, whatever hopes may be, expectation that this body will ever do .anything beneficial to the fancy has long since departed, it was hardly conceivable that even the governing body of New South Wales would give itself away in so barefaced a manner. Undoubtedly with a view making the lodging of protests as difficult as possible it has not only doubled the requisite fee but has curtailed the period during which objections could be lodged, from a fortnight from the close of the show, to within “6 p.nt. on the preceding the closing day of tlie show,” so, apparently, at a one day show objections must be lodged the night before the show takes place! Then the right of withdrawing one's dogs from competition in the event of a change in the judges is withdrawn, as is the rule debarring animals other than exhibits being allowed within the precincts of a dog show. Further, tlie qualification for the title of champion is made even easier. It must be confessed that the curtailment of the period during which objections may be lodged is a matter of no vital importance in New South Wales, foi there is overwhelming evidence available that the local Kennel Club decides such cases 'solely with a view to expediency, j ustice and decency being invariably ignored unless they happen to coincide with the club's views. Luckily there are abundant signs that the time is fast approacliing, owing chiefly to tlie ever-inci easing loss of its members, when the fullest possible publicity must be given to tlie proceedings of this bony. The issue of a challenge may be a sportsmanlike act, but one couched _in terms winch run down omor people's dogs are not so, and made in such terms and just before a show are certainly not to be commended. Such is the nature of a challenge just issued in Sydney, the challenger bargaining for the use of the London Bulldog Society's standard in preference to that of the .bulldog Glub, incorporated. Why? A well-known figure in the deg world of Australia passed away by tiie death of Mr W. Freeman, which took place on August 14th. For many years Mr Freeman was piominent as a breeder aud exnibitor of bulldogs and mastiffs, borne seven years ago iie imported the bulldog Blunderbus, who, particularly through liis son Arquebus, has left suen a mark of the ureod at tlie antipodes. Poor Freeman was an enthusiast, almost too much so, as he took defeat too much to neurt, but he was at least a straigntforward opponent, and tlie disease from wnicn ne sunered, gastric ulcer, was not conducive to sweetness of temper. lor Huw many years he was an exhibitor 1 cannot say, but lie must have had a more iengtny experience than most. He nus Text ueninu linn several bulldogs of jnei it, including nis latest importation, Hever Dexter.