THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2578, 12 August 1903, Page 48

THE KENNEL.

Br Terror.

fFunclers nn'l brecilcr* of doRS arc (•ordi»ll»- Inrltfil to couttlbutc Hems to thH roltuim. " Tenor ' will en»lovour to inaVc his department :n interesting and up-to date a» po^ibl^, but in crdei to do this lie must hu\e tlie co-oueiution of Ma readers, heucc he trusti tUi» Imitation will be oUecrfully responded, to.

—In the course of a discussion upon the action of a certain judge in placing a doj in almost precisely the same company at each showing first in the first class of the breed adjudicated upon and third in subsequently judged classes the question arose, "Should a judge reverse his decisions?" — This question should be considered not as concerning an individual dog, but as regards class and judge. If considered from the> dog point of view, one would bo led astray, and argue on the presumption tlfat it won premier position in the first instance because it showed to best advantage, and enabled tho judge to see- all its quality, so that; though at subsequent showings _it might be &hy and slouch, or the man with the chain be indifferent, still the judgo would be aware of its roal quality, and should continue to give credit for it.

— Considered, however, from the class aspect, it will be seen that while the dog getting premier position at the first showing did so because it then displayed to bett&r advantage than subsequently, it is quite possible that some other dog, or dogs, though superior, did just tho opposite. If so, would it not be just and proper on the. part of the judge to re\erge his decison? Undoubtedly, yea. — From tho "judge" point of view all doggie men will agree that there are> two kinc& of judges— i.e., good and indifferent. An able, qualified, experienced man is cool and collected, and is thoroughly at home right throughout tho performance of his duties. Ho sees the dogs before him, an«J is thoroughly indifferent as to who holds the chain or overlooks his work. He sees good points and bad ones, and adjudicates. He see 6 a good dog once, and recalls him to mind at pleasure, and it goes without faying that ho recognises him again and again as he reappears from ela^ to class, and, all ■things being equal, will continue to classify him. The second-rate man, on the other hand, is confused at the first introduction of a strange claes, led in, perhaps, by owners of reputation as breeders. In his confusion he sees more of the top-end of tho chain than the collar end. and acts accordngly. Surely no one would blame such a one if. when ho- finally settles down to a normal condition, and displays his real ability— such as he may posses.— he reverses earlier judgments. — In reporting the colho class of the recent dog show, a paragraph (taken from the Otago Daily Times report) was inserted which stated that wo were getting away from the Horrax and Roge-n strain. Such ia not the case, as Zealandia King, whose photo appeared in last week s issue, was by Heather Jock, who is by Rogen's Allan Breck, eon of First Shot. In this week's issue will be seen a photograph of Hermopa and her daughters, Lady Wiehaw and Princess Wishaw. Hermosa was bred by Horrax, thereby proving that the Horrax and Rogen strains won everything entered for at the recent show. —In answer to a correspondent re the

coliie Hermosa [see photographs], the following particulars of this celebrated bitch will be interesting: — Hermosa is by eh. Herdwick ex Ormskirk Formosa (imp.), and was bred by Mr J. Horxax at Wellington, and is owned by Messrs Neill and Rennic, of the Roslyn. Kennels, Dunedin and Wellington. Sh& is a tricolour, with grand heacl and ears, and has probably the best coat ever seen on a bitch in New Zealand. Her father, eh Herdwick, was by eh Ormskirfc Amazement ex eh Ormskirk Stella. Her mother is by the famous Ormskirk Emerald, who was sold for £1500, probably tho most* valuable dog ever known. Hermoja was first shown at Auckland, winning three firsts and one second in four classes. . Next, at Maafcerton, she won every class shown in, after which in Wellington, 1901, ehe again won everything entered for, Jnoluuing Collie ' Club's Silver Shield, defeating amongst others her litter sisters Marvel and Hinemoa, also the imported Heather Princess. She was not again shown till las* month in Dunedin, but was not placed, her daughter, Lady Wishaw, winning every bitch class entered for. As a show bitch her record is good, bub an a brood bitch it is even better. Her first litter produced Viking and Austral. Viking has been shown 12 times, winning seven firsts, threo seconds, and two thirds. Austral has two wins and a divided first out of three tries. Her second litter produced Sweet Lavender, who won two firsts in big classes in Wc-llington. 1901, the only time shown. Her third litter was most sensational, as it produced two bitches and one dog who have won every event entered for — viz., Regina, who wag placed first in every bitch class from maiden to champion, also the silver medal for best dog in the show ; Hinekoa, who last month at Masterton won every dog class in the show, and the president's silver cup; also HinewhHi, who did the came in every bitch class at the same show. Her last litter was responsible for Lady Wishaw and Princess Wiahaw. These two puppies, though only eight months old, were placed first and! sccpnd in ©very class entered for at the. last Dunedin show, besides winning the brace class against all comers. It is doubtful if any bicoh in New Ze-aland, or even Australia, has such a wonderful record, and as ehe is going to visit the Melbourne champion Graceful Perfection (imp.) the result will be anxiously awaited by all collie fanciers in New Zealand. Hermosa. is at present in Dunedin, but is not for sale. — Should a judge place dogs equal? This is a question that has caused much discussion- where doggie men meet. It seldom happens at Home or in Australia, but has occurred several times in New Zealand, with anything but satisfactory results. It haa been described as "the recourse of the incompetent"—which just describes it. So far as I can learn the perfect dog has not yet materialised, nor can one honestly earn 100 per cent, points; therefore, the beat i» only degrees ahead of his rivals, and if he is judged on points, as we are led to believe, it should not bo a hard matter to separate two dogs almost equal, provided a judge is competent and wants to do so. Remembering that every part of the animal counts, commencing at the head, and including ears, eyes, and mouth, and then coat, legs, feet, and tail, to say nothing of expression, the puzzle is how the points add up exactly the same. Granted such a contingency is possible, the- question of action would 6oon settle it, as a short gallop often reveals faults which otherwise would pass* unnoticed. When all ii taid, :fc is a most disappointing decision, as nobody is satisfied, not oven the joint winners, and it is to be hoped that in all future shows judges will be found who are capable of deciding euch fine differences.

— Speaking of a prominent English fancier who undertook as a maiden effort the duty of judging at the last Sheffield show, the Stockkeeper makes use of tho following suggestive thought-inspiring sonteno3: — "On© is apt to be sparing of criticism when a genuine fancier for tho first time takes on the unthankful task of 'making enemies.' " The writer in Question proceeds, of couree, to criticise, and does so, rightly or wrongly, sparingly enough, but in any case he deserves the thanks of all judges for his definition of their official duties, "The unthankful task of makingenemies."

— Dog "Champions." — Dear Terror, — On reading the reports of dog shows this season I frequently learn that Air Blank's dog wag awarded several firsts and "champion." Who awards such championships — the judge or the owner? I was under the impression that nowadays a dog had to earn his championship, at least such is the rule of the English Kennel Club, by winning throo challenge classes at shows which are termed championship chows, and meaning that tho winner of these three classes is then called! champion in addition 'to his usual title, and retains it for all time. I find, on referring to rule 21 of tho New Zealand Kennel Club it says: — "Tho Kennel Clul* shall select and publish in the official organ a list of shows which shall be called championship showfl. The committee of tho selected shows shall provide in such breed or varieties of a breed as the* Kennel Club may determine/ challenge prizes or ee-rtifieavos, which shall bo awarded -to the best dog of its breed in the show. A dog having won threo of the above-mentioned challenge- prizes shall have the title of 'champion.'" How then, Alr Terror, can a dog or bitch who has only won one, or even two, challenge prizes be called champion? The title will carry no> weight or honour if a dog <vms, say, one challenge in a email class. I trust you, at anyratc, will not allow this "assuming-a-virtuo-and-possessing-it-not" sort of cheap advfertibement to be perpetrated in your columns, and let the> fanciers know that on* kennel editor at least ha 3 read the rules which, govern dog shows. — Your* disgusted, Real Chami-ios, Wellington, August 2, 1903.

THE NEW ZEALAND FOX TERRIER

CLUB'S SPECIALS.

Dear Ton or, — In a recent isue of yourpaper, I observed that there was some talk of the New Zealand Fox Terrier Club's specials not being 'equally and fairly allotted to both the northt-rn and southern club show*. From an Auckland schedule I have just received I gee that what was then etated in your column is not really the case, or that Dunedm at lease has no caufco to lomplaiu, as in the Auckland 6chedulo above referred to there is no mention of any specials being given by the New Zealand! Fox Terrier Club, the only specials mentioned for the fox terrier classes being a trophy, value £10 103, presented by Mr Paul Hunter, patron N.Z.F.T.C., for competition amongst members of the Xew Zealand Fox Terrier Club only, aiiu a gokl medal, value £3 3s, preaented by Mr AY. \. Smith, Napier, for the best fox terner puppy owned by a member of the Auckland ".Kennel Club. O£ course, the X««

Zealand Fox Terrier Chtb's specials ani trophies may have -bean -withdrawn, as no mention is made of them. Mr Hunter's special has been offered by that gentleman for competition amongst the members of the N.Z.F.T. Club, and is evidently not presented to the N.Z.F.T. Club, so this cannot "be called a Fox Terrier Club trophy — it 'is merely Mr P. Hunter's trophy ; while the medal, which is the only other special mentioned for fos terriers, shows by the conditions attached (members of the Auckland Kennel Club only) the pique of the donor. 'While on tho subject of club trophies, I bear that the. N.Z. Collie Club has a different method of dealing with their trophies, and if the judge selected by the show committee is not on their list of judges or does not meet with their approval, neither trophies- nor medals are allotted. The allocation of the trophies of the N.Z.C.C is, I bslieve, done by the committee, and in no case have I ever heard, of any objections be-ing taken by the donors, whether patron, president, or \-ice-prasident. Another diff-er-eneo between the two specialist dubs that Ikvj been pointed out to me is that in the caso of the N.Z.C.'C. all trophies or specials must be given to the club to allocate as tho committee think is in 'the best interests of the breed, and any trophies offered on other Conditions than these are "declined with thanks," as was made evident by the refusal of the committee to accept tfhe weather-g]ass recently offered by a Hawko's Bay fancier who wished to dictate to the club where, ■when, and by whom his trophy was to be competed for. In this I suppose he^was quite fight while the trophy wari his own, but when presented (on fulfilment of a promise of almost a year's standing), to the jKew Zp&lnnd Coiiie Club, his right to name onerous or any conditions ceased, and if offered with Euch conditions attached, then the executive of the N.Z.C.C. de&crve the thanks of all the members for their prompt refusal to truckle to any clique or faction. — I am, etc.,

Fbuoch.

SOilE DEBATED POINTS,

Dear Terror, — 1 notice in your kennel Bk&ws of last week a .'mall hint with regard to forming a local kennel club, but am glad to see you mention them as exhibitors and not as fanciers, because I am quite sura ■no real fancier has any idea of trying to Isever the do? section from th& rest of our fcbow, as should such a thing come to pass, 4?aod-bye io our atieces«, and I am speaking as a dog fancier. The success of our show •is certainly due to -united forces, and take away ono section, and you would at one? spoil the lot. However, a word with regard to dog shows — that is, with reference 'to three day shows.— This <houlc certainly bo gone into very thoroughly by the committee, a* to my mind three da 3's are certainly too long, especially in sucb cold weather, with the, dogs tied up in a freezing chamber — a thine I sines.rely trust the :oinmittee will rectify.

New, with regard to another matter. You publish a letter signed "S ation Shepherd," the writer of which takes the judge of the dogs at the late luvcrcargill show rather severely to task in many erases. One I notice particularly. In writing of the fox terriers he says the judge was evidently at sea placing such a dog as Grayton Raffly (?) third — a dog that won first and special at the last Ohristchurch show. A dotr named Grafton Ruffler won in Ohristchurch la«t year. Is this the same dog? The name is quite different, Dut I suppose he is the identical dog ! I must point out that when •he won in -Chrifitchurch he was imder six inontlis old, and has had any amount of time to become coarse. At this show five foxeys were shown, three of which were under six months old — not very -strong competition. And if he is Grafton Ruffler, I saw him in Oliristchurch some eight month* ago, when I told the then owner that I was afraid 'he would not win any more first and specials, and apparently my verdict was not far wrong. This dog was then too long in the back, and also too high, and rather wide in front. In conclusion, I, as a breeder of fox terriers for the. past 25 years, would advise ''Station Shepherd" to stick to sheep dogs, of which he might (?) know something. — I am, etc.,

"Watcefcx.