THE KENNEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 2

THE KENNEL

By Breeder

" Brooder ” 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 SHOW DATES June 25, 26.—Dunedin Fanciers’ j'uiy 16, 17—Southland Kennel C1 Septcmbcr 16. 17.—South Canterbury Kennel Club. . . October 15, 16.—Otago Kennel Club. The Otago Kennel Club will hold another of its popular social functions in the Kia Ora Tea Rooms, High street, on the evening of June 10, This social will take the form of progressive euchre. The president of the club (Mr J. Curie) and the Social Committee have completed all the arrangements, and members are displaying a keen interest in the event. Mr W. Henderson, well known as a breeder of fox terriers, who recently swung over to cockers, has added another blue-roan to his kennels. The latest purchase is called Dimple of Mangawhare, and was bred by Mr L. Barton from Radiant Reflector ex ch Judith. Radiant Reflector is by Churchlcigh Stormboy (imp.), ex Colinctte Sister (imp.). Dimple is full of the best imported blood, and, in the capable hands of Mr Henderson, should breed some high-class pups, Mrs J. Sutherland reports the sale of a Pekingese puppy to Mr: Anderson. of Alexandra, and one to Mrs Talbovs. of Lawrence. She has also disposed of Sydney Silkie puppies to Mrs Blakelv, of Christchurch, and Miss Purdie. of Port Chalmers Mr John Rattray, of Waipahi. informs me that he has mated nis bulldog bitch. Murihiku Bonnie Belle, to his fine dog Regal Young Nugget. Nugget is by ch Suncrest Bronze Nugget ex Suncrest Lonana and, it win be remembered, put up a remarkable nerformance at the last Wellington Show. Belle is a little sister to Kata and ch Jesmond Lily. I trust Mr Rattray will have the best of good fortune with the expected pups. . Mr John Macdonald, of the Muindge Kennels. Timaru. reports that his West Highland White terrier bitch. Peggy ol Murdiduke. has whelped a fine litter —three dogs and two bitches—to his own stud dog, Angus of Westmere. As Peggv is by two imported chamoions, Mr Macdonald is looking forward to something good from this litter. 300 CANINE STARS Australia will probably see a dog movie soon. More than 300 mongrel dogs have played the star turn m Bruno Frank’s play. “ Sturm in Wesserglass ”—in English “ Storm in a Teacup.” The wife of the author has an album containing the photographs oi all the dogs. _ Five years ago the German Government taxed owners for the first dog 60 marks, for the second dog 200 marks, and so on. It was really a cruel tax, for the police were strict in taking away the dogs that had not been pa.jd for. There was a case in Munich in which a poor woman spent weeks pleading and arguing with the police but she could not get her dog back. Hence a propaganda film picture. When the play was produced in Munich the immediate result was that the dog tax was reduced from 60 marks to 40, and later to 30. The film was made in England with an English mongrel in the principal part, but a special filming will be made in Munich for the German market and a real Dresden premierenhund will be used. ear”canker Advice concerning the treatment of ear canker, which should be of distinct value to breeders who are unable to obtain the services of a veterinary surgeon, is supplied by “ Medicus in Our Dogs (England): Another very common trouble among sporting dogs is ear canker. It is generally due to soreness caused by thorns and other obstacles tearing the lining of the ear (this sets up "external ear canker) and by foreign substances getting down into the ear passages and starting inflammation there (this is the beginning of " Internal ” car canker). It is very necessary that the ears of spaniels and all long-eared sporting dogs should be examined to see if there are any thorns, etc., adhering, and if the animal is noticed to be shaking its head, the Interior of the ear should be examined, and if there is any sign of wax or of suppuration a lotion should be used at once. Simple boracic lotion, used with a douche (not a syringe, which is too drastic) will do very well. Afterward use a little ointment from the following recipe;—Nitrate of mercury, one drachm: zinc ointment, two ounces; sweet oil. two ounces. Melt the two latter together, gradually add the nitrate of mercury ointment, and stir the whole up until it sets into a soft paste so as to secure the proper distribution of the mercury. The best way to use this is to put a small quantity into a spoon and warm it. and then pour it carefully down into the dog’s ear. COMFORT FOR THE WHELPING BITCH The care of the whelping bitch is. perhaps, the most important of all the tasks of the dog-breeder. On this depends not only the health and therefore the “ sellability ” of the puppies, but the well-being of the bitch herself During the eight weeks’ gestation period the bitch requires more than extra feeding. She must lead a thoroughly comfortable, contented life with nothing to disturb or upset her. Regular exercise, of course, must always form part of the day’s routine, but in the last two or three weeks before the puppies arc due exercise should be merely a sedate walk —she will probably ask for no more. Though some bitches display a fine indifference to their burden and, given the chance, will go rabbiting till the last moment, they must not be given the chance. GOOD ACCOMMODATION

A shed or outbuilding will do. but it must be light and dry, properly ventilated, not draughty, with a solid floor that can be easily cleaned: and it must, of course, be adapted to serve the purpose of a kennel. A bed of straw in the corner ot a barn is no place for a bitch to have her litter. She should be provided with an ample box. raised an inch or two from the ground and well lined with clean straw. , . , The door of a shed invariably admits draughts, and a length of boarding should be fixed across the bottom of the doorway, inside. This draught board should be removable to facilitate cleaning. THE DIET A good diet with plenty of meat and not too much farinaceous food, should keep digestion healthy: but it is always necessary to note the condition of the bowels, giving an occasional spoonful of olive oil should the need arise. Never at this time should a bitcli bo bathed; brush and comb will keep her clean. If the bitch is normally a house dog. and this, for many, is the beginning of dog breeding, the important question now arises of where she is to whelp and rear her litter. The house is hardly suitable. The bitch wants the minimum ot human interference, and should be visited only at feeding and cleaning times. Nature lias provided her with the right instincts, and those instincts can be trusted. It is always best to introduce the bitch to her breeding kennel a day or two before she is duo. and so let her get accustomed to her now quarters. At whelping it is wise to stand by to sec that all goes well, especially if it is a first litter. The bitch may be frightened when labour begins, and your presence will reassure her. For two or three days before and after whelping keep her on light but nourishing food: and during whelping give her warm milk if she will take it.