THE KENNEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23080, 5 January 1937, 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 'x their insertion in this column. If the number of recent importations not only from Australia, but from England, is a guide, it would appear that the Pekingese is becoming one of the most popular of toy dogs in the South Island. While in Christchurch last week I was informed that Mrs C. L. Ridgen, the well-known Pekingese breeder, is importing from England a pair of high-class specimens. Mrs Helpman, an Australian breeder of Pekingese, who is at present in England, is selecting the pair for Mrs Ridgen. As I understand they will arrive in time for this season's shows, we should be able to look forward to some keen competition in the toy section. Mrs Ridgen is sending her Australianbred bitch over to its home country io be mated to ch Tom Thumb of Hartlebury, the dog purchased by Mrs Helpman during her previous visit to England - , , ~ With its annual show to be held within a few weeks, the Wellington Kennel Club is placed in the unfortunate position of having to find a new secretary, Mr Max Mills having been transferred from Wellington. The date of his departure is not yet known, and in the meantime he is carrying on with the show arrangements. During his term of office Mr Mills proved himself an ideal secretary, and his popularity with all sections of the fancy his resignation a severe loss to the club.

Concerning the use of santonin as a vermifuge, carefully carried out experiments showed that, whereas effective results followed its administration without a purgative being given afterwards, as also when calomel was mixed with it, better results were recorded when the animal was given a saline purgative a few- hours after. You who have a dog that is worth money, insure it. Why not? If the dog is killed or dies naturally you collect money to buy another. A few shillings a year does it. There are several companies that deal in livestock insurance. I heard of a fancier who claims that he has not purchased a dog with his own money for " donkey's years." DISQUALIFICATIONS For having been exhibited in contravention of regulation 1, New Zealand Kennel Club rules, the following dogs have been placed on the disqualification register:— Auckland Show—Mr T. Perry's Pointer, Betty. Dannevirke Show.—Mr J. P. Taucher's Scottish Terrier, Ratanui Defiance; Mrs T. M'Robbie's cocker spaniel, Haselmere Chancellor. New Plymouth Show.—Miss B. Mann's Alsatian, Paddy of Wolverine. Manawatu Show.—Mr R. Coxon s whippet, Great Treasure. Nelson Show.—Mr R. Harley's cocker spaniel, Michael Angelo; Mr M'Kegney's bulldog, Bruno Dignius of CraigDunedin Fanciers' Club Show.—Mr H. M'Pherson's greyhound, Ben Again. Rai Valley Show—Mr H. D. Hughes's Alsatian, Prince. „ New Plymouth Show.—Mr W. Simpkiss's cocker spaniel, War King of Frankley New Zealand Toy Dog Show.—Mr N. Hawthorne's Pomeranian Franklin Fashion Boy. KEEPING YOUR DOG COOL Because it is a hot day some owners think it is the right thing to wash their dogs. Naturally the dog objects. It is a mistaken idea that washing keeps a dog cool. That is. not the way to keep it cool. It doesn't keep a dog "anything," except convinced that some humans know little of what a dog really Wants. In hot days, provide the dog with continual shade, not necessarily the same spot. If the spot is earth, so much the better. Brush and comb the dog twice a day. Don't overfeed, but leave, his bones alone, so that he can chew them over as,he feels inclined. Plenty of fresh, cool water. Take scraped carrot, lettuce, tomato, watercress all uncooked, and give with a little gravy as a morning meal, reserving the raw meat and bones for the evening meal. Let him have plenty of exercise and swimming. Finally, provide a cosy board-floor corner, with two or three layers of old newspapers, away from draughts, as a sleeping spot. All this will keep your dog healthy in summer time. "C' THE AIREDALE TERRIER The origin of this breed (says a writer in an Australian paper) is problematical—otter hound and old broken-haired English terrier? Until 1885, when the Kennel Club of England admitted it to its standard, little was known of them. Early catalogues of shows provided for them under the classification of " the broken-haired or working terriers," and also "the waterside terrier," this latter being the name he generally went under in the dales of Yorkshire. It rather seems that the credit of bringing this rough-haired dog into public notice can be put to Mr Hugh Dalziel, the well-known canine writer and recognised authority on these matters. This expert published an article on these "terriers" in the Country somewhere about 1882, directing attention to their working capabilities, etc., and suggesting that the name Bingley terrier would be more suitable as the breed seemed to be more numerous in that district than any other part. This letter resulted in others from people interested, and it was generally conceded that Airedale more truly represented the home of these " tykes," and "Airedale terriers" they became. All the same, it has always been a mystery to the writer why they were called terriers at all, for a dog going 24in and better at shoulder and weighing 451 b, and often more, is certainly " some terrier." In fact, it is noticed that Dalziel himself in his publication, " British Dogs," remarks that the name terrier applied to the Airedale is admittedly a stretching of the term far beyond its original meaning, for this dog is generally too large to go to ground after fox, otter, or badger. Needless to state that, as soon as the breed became recognised by the K.C. it began to improve, gradually developing from the rough, coarse-headed, longbodied terrier into the smart, shortcoupled, long-headed, neat-eared, hardcoated terrier that is seen on the show benches to-day. It is also pleasing to note that the very large specimens now meet with little favour. According to the late Mr Walter Beilby, the breed was first introduced into Victoria by Mr E. F. Edmondson and Mr A. Addy early in the nineties, Mr Addy founding a fairly strong kennel from his imported pair, Yeadon Ring and Yeadon Rosebud, progeny from these finding their way all over Australia. But the Airedale for some years found few supporters m this part of the world, and it was not till after 1910 that appreciable headway was noticeable. About that time Mr L. A. Latchford, of Victoria, imported the successful sire ch Watlands Performer, and Mrs Waters the puppy bitch Wavenor Wayward, sold afterwards to Mr E. Cockrill and shown under the name of Brundall Lady Betty (born 1913). Prior to these, however, was Mr T. S. Smith with his well-known Cheltenham kennels of Airedales, and this enthusiastic fancier kept them till the day of his death. Following these we come to the wellknown names of Mr Norman Meyer, Mr W. Brilliant, Mr Nevil Whiting, and several others, and it is due to the enterprise of these enthusiasts that Airedales in Victoria have reached their present high standard. Owing to the more general education of owners these terriers are shown in much better condition than they used to be, and now it is quite rare to see one entering the ring that has not been properly trimmed. Certainly seven or eight nicely turned-out Airedales parading before the judge is a very attractive sight.

AIREDALES IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS

Many reasons may be put forward as to why the Airedale can be recommended to a beginner who wishes to take up dogs in a show sense. Stud fees of the most popular champions are within the reach of all breeders, who usually part with some of the puppies at a tender age. It is possible that one bought by the novice may turn out a handsome specimen. He certainly will have every chance to grow up into a fine, healthy animal, sound in mind and body, as he will enjoy the benefits of the undivided attention of his owner—the first step in the path of correct mental and physical development. His exceptional gifts as a natural guard are well known. No special training is needed to teach him to protect his master and mistress and their property. His powers of discrimination as to who may or may not approach are uncanny. Even a young puppy sold to a new home in a few days recognises the regular tradesmen and friends of the family, while he speedily gives warning of a stranger whose appearance does not come up to his canine standard of " a friend." As a house dog and pal his fidelity is unsurpassed, and a special quality which endears him to any dog lover is the wholehearted way in which he devotes all his powers to his owner's interests. His master's business he makes his business. He is quick to perceive danger which menaces his loved ones, and in such a case he risks his life and limb to warn and protect. The consistently robust health of the Airedale is another asset when calculating his worth as a companion. He is less sensitive than most to the ills tc which canine flesh is prone. As a worker he is indefatigable; his tirelessness has been compared by experienced hunters with that of the goat. On the other hand, town dwellers find, to their delighted surprise, that he can keep wonderfully healthy and happy should circumstances not permit of many daily walks. His loyalty is unimpeachable, and not a single instance ir, on record of this staunch canine pal turning against any one of the family circle to which he is attached. He has, too, a power of acting, if necessary, on his own initiative, a power which distinguishes him from out of the ranks of the many excellent police, gun, and watch dogs, which are doing good service in their respective spheres. Thus "handsome is as handsome does," and we who love the Airedale can vouch for it that in his every aspect, whether as a show dog or as a companion, or, maybe, as is often the case, as a combination of both characters, he is to us the ne plus ultra of dogdom!—Our Dogs.