THE KENNEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22956, 11 August 1936, Page 2

THE KENNEL

By Breeder

" Breeder " will be pleased if dog owners and others concerned will forward him notes of interest for his consideration with a view to their insertion in this column. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT "Wire-haired," Dunedin. See article " Docking Puppies* Tails," in last week's notes. Another well-known fancier, Mr Charles V. M'Beath, of Christchurch, has passed away. There was a big representation from the Canterbury Kennel Club, the Canterbury Gun Dog Club and the Returned Soldiers' Association at the funeral. The pallbearers were Messrs W. M. Jack, T. H. Hodge, W. H. Odell and L.'E. Vernazoni, all fellow members of the executive of the Canterbury Kennel Club. To all except his personal friends Mr M'Beath was probably known chiefly as the owner and trainer of New Zealand's first dual champion, the Labrador retriever Pompey, a splendid dog which captured the hearts of shooting men and fanciers wherever he went, particularly, of course, in Canterbury. Mr M'Beath was, however, no one-breed or one-dog man, but was interested in springers and at one time bred cockers. On the executive of the Canterbury Kennel Club and the Canterbury Gun Dog Club he made his presence felt as an enthusiastic debater, beside which he was always to the fore when assistance;—manual or otherwise, was required. His place will be filled, of course, but he will be missed by all. Mrs Rend, of Henderson, has secured a particularly pleasing young blue-roan cocker bitch from Messrs Smyth and Farquharson, of Dunedin. This bitch was to have gone direct to be mated with Blue Jacket of Penscroft in the Heather Glen Kennels but, as she arrived in Wellington at a rather late hour, she was put to Ashmore Legacy. Mr F. G. Saville, of the Opihi Kennels, Fairlie, has disposed of the old English sheepdog, Grey Knight of Opihi, to Mr M. Craig, of Bluff. Grey Knight is by ch Opihi Rupert, ex Opihi Sunshine Susie. The same breeder has also disposed of the Sealyham terrier Opihi Phillip to Mrs M. J. Fogarty, of Greymouth. Mrs C. L. Ridgen, of the Montresor Kennels, Christchurch, reports that her red brindle Pekingese, Ming-Sue of Montresor, has whelped a litter of three dogs to her kennel-mate,, Nu-Dah of Windermere, who has heen a consistent winner at South Island shows. With such worldfamous dogs at Chuerh-Tu of Alderbourne, P-San Pam of Chinatown in the pedigree and ch Fung-Yeny-Shang in the sire's pedigree, these puppies are outstandingly bred. Mrs Ridgen also reports a very nice litter of four (three dogs and one bitch) from her imported bitch. Pang-Soo of Mirrabooka to Chong of Windermere Himself. Two of the males are beautifully marked orange and white parti-colours. These puppies are full younger sister and brothers of the winning parti-colour puppy, Chuty-Wuh of Montresor. At a meeting of the Wellington Kennel Club last week Mr Max Mills was , appointed secretary in place of Miss F. T. Duff, who recently resigned. A springer spaniel by Dickens of Bourne (imp.) ex Trixie of Clifton, bred and owned by Mrs J. C. Holmes, has been secured by Mr G. Peake, of Mornington, Dunedin. Mr M. D. Spiers, of the Glenshee Kennels, Oamaru, has secured from Dr Smith Morton the black Scottish terrier Cumbrae Dusk, by ch Totteridge M'Duff, ex Ornsay Posie (imp.). rjr The Scottish terrier bitch Knapdale Jean, the property of Mr R. Kingsland, of Christchurch, has been on a stud visit to Mrs A. Simon's black imported stud dog Ornsay Barty. Sydney papers to hand announce that the Canine Council of Control and the Kennel Association of New South Wales are practically amalgamated. Several joint ideas and moves have been agreed upon pending constitutional resolutions to cement the union. As these bodies are the two responsible governing associations of the metropolitan district, and have the majority of the best dogs registered with them, the amalgamation will have an important influence on the future of canine matters in New South Wales. OTAGO KENNEL CLUB'S SHOW The entries for the Otago Kennel Club's annual show close on Saturday next. Even at this early stage a large number of entries has been received from various parts of New Zealand, and as previously anticipated, the show promises to be a record one. Provided that special late trains are running on August 29 after the Canterbury-Otago football match, northern and southern exhibitors will be in the fortunate position of having their dogs returned to them on the Saturday night immediately after the show. Special arrangements will be made in this connection with the Railway Department. As usual, children from the orphanages and other institutions are being invited to be present on the Saturday afternoon, when a special programme will be presented for them.

Special arrangements are being made regarding the announcing from the ring, and members of the public who are fortunate enough to be present at the judging will find that everything is being done to hold their interest throughout the show. Exhibitors will be handed large number cards in the assembling ring, and these must be worn whilst their dogs are being judged. This will enable the judges' placings to be followed without difficulty. SHOW PREPARATION A show is always something to look forward to and it is the time when many owners make an entry more for the sake of having an interest in the show than for the sake of winning a prize, but if the latter should come their way the pleasure is complete. Not all are expert in the game of trimming the various breeds to their correct line, but it should always be remembered that while a judge can forgive ignorance of preparation he should not, and will not, overlook dogs shown in dirty condition. There is no excuse for dirt. Doggy cleanliness is not so much in constant baths, but in persistent brushing, healthy exercise, and clean living quarters. While in some breeds the novice may be handicapped by lack of knowledge of preparation he is often still more handicapped by his dog's not being fit. Here is where the novice can steal a march on the more experienced exhibitor. If the dog is fat, feed sparingly on lean meat —no bones that can be eaten—and dog biscuits. Gradually lengthen the periods of

exercise. The mornings and evenings are delightful now to be out with the dogs. In the mornings they can be given a swim to help in the general improvement if near fresh water. Sea water is not good for a dog's coat at show time. Where there is cover such as lupins, broom, etc., and the dogs will hunt in it, this is a great help, as the dogs are both exercised and groomed. Let the slogan be clean, muscular dogs and the trimming can be more or less left to look after itself. SEX FORECASTING During the last few weeks some publicity has been given in the Sydney daily press to the subject of chicken-sex forecasting. In the dog world, a plan, already well known, often works out very well. Mate early in the period of oestrum (heat) for bitches, and late for dogs. The theory for this is that in the wild state, if there be a surplus of dogs, the bitch will not have to roam far or long to find a mate. If there be a surplus of bitches, it may be some time in the period before a mate is found and so mating will be late. In this way Nature equalises the sexes, and acting on that theory professional breeders often have satisfactory results.