THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2745, 24 October 1906, Page 29

THE KENNEL.

Bt Tihxok. FtnMcrt tuJ breeders of dor,« »re cordial); Inritej to CM' wibtiK iteus to lU» column. " Terror will endcarour to make beset tic truiLs tins mTit&tion will be cbe,ciTullT responded to — After a day's run in the bush or over tussock, a dog's ears should be carefully examined for thorns, thistle?, etc. If this i-> neglected, inflammation 13 apt to set in and the ears to swell and fester. Where euch result of neglect has eventuated, it may be understood that that dreaded complaint, ''ear-canker bas

set in and requires immediate treatment. One of the best remedies for this complaint is a lead and opium lotion, which any chemist can prepare, if the purpose for whicli it is required is explained. At the samo time, a laxative medicine should be given, such as compound rhubarb pills, and also a tonic, such, for, instance, as iron pills. — Mr Twopeny reports that, as he is giving up breeding wire haired fox terriers for a time, he has disposed of his latest imported dog, Northficld Tip-Top, to Mr S H. Graves, of Christchuich, New Zealand. Tip-Top should be of great use to the fancy, as he makes a valuable outcross to the King Bristles blood, which is the prevailing strain in New Zealand. TipTop has left some good stock in Australia, being a most successful sire. Mr Graves §hould now have an exceptionally strong kennel of "wires," he having Edenthorpo Dot, Edenthorpe Weasel, and a young bitch by Champion Edenthorpo Blazes ex Leeds Flirt (imp.). These dogs carried all before them at the late Dunedin show in the bitch classes. — Mr B. H. Neill's eh Edenthorpe Spot whelped a litter of five pups (three dogs) to Chingford Nipper on Sunday last. — The practice of allowing- exhibits to bo | benched after the advertised time is one j that should not be countenanced even in extreme casM. A .society in' England has experienced serious complications owing to this practice. The secretary of tho Yeovil show accepted the collie entries of one exhibitor on condition that the exhibitor could arrive with his dogs about noon. This, the secretary said, ho had power to do under tho regulations. He, however, forgot to instruct the judge, or the stewards to postpone the judging of the collie, classes until the late exhibits arrived. When they were delivered in the I show ground the secretary gave instructions to re-judge the classes. This was done, and the collies that arrived late were I awarded the prizes in place of the dopes to which the tickets had already been j awarded. A complaint was made to tho ! Kennel Club, and the result of its consideration has not yet boon made known. — Australian cattle dogs aro to be fostered by a club in Sydney, and this is certainly a move in the right direction. "JS'ota Bene," a Sj dn«y writer, says: — "A meeting of owners of cattle clogs was held last week at the Lord Jersey Hotel, Castleroagh street. Among those present were Messrs Robert Kaleski (Liverpool), E. J. Bibb (Mortlake), J. Rose (Burwood). J. Bagust (Canterbury), F. Barrett and J. Yabsley (Rozelle), and W. Crane, jun., hon. sec. The business of the meeting consisted of discussing a standard for iudging 1 cattle dogs compiled by Mr Kaleski. This standard was adopted, with the following alterations: — The 8 points allotted to 'ears' were reduced to 5 ; for 'legs' were increased from 8 to 11. and the words added., 'feet well padded like, a oafs.' The clause relating to hindquarters was altered to road, 'tail not carried too gaily.' It was decided that blue, was tho praferable colour, and that red speckled rlops were also eligible. A.s the cattle doft is distinctly a colonial breed, it was agreed the titlft Australian cattle dogs' should be adopted when referring to variety. As a compliment to Mr Kalceki. who has done 6o much in formulating the standard, it. was resolved to nominate him as judefe at the Kennel Club's show. Votes of thanks were accorded to him, and to the hon. secretary. It is likely that tho cattlo and sheep dog men will form a club devoted to the interests of these eminently useful breeds." The following is the scale of points: — CATTLE DOG. Head. — Broad between ears, tapering to a point at muzzle, full under the eyes, strong and muscular in the jaw3— l6 points. Ears. — Short and pricked, running to a, point at tip, thick and set wide apart on tho skull ; should be as decidedly pricked as a cat's — 5 points. Eyes. — Brown, quick and sly looking— 6 points. Shoulders.— Strong, gcod slope for fice action — 8 points. Chest.— Deep, but not out of nropoilion to bod y — 9 points. Legs.— Clean, and fair amount of bone ; great muscular development — 11 points. Back.— Straight, with ribs well eprung ; ribbed up, and gocd loins — 8 points. Hind Quarters. — Strong and muscular, with back thighs well let down for speed, no dew claws; tail a slight brush, not too long for body — 8 points. Height. — Dcgs, about 20 inches; bitches, a little smaller — 6 points. Coat.— Short, smooth, and very dense — & points. Colour.— Head black or red, white stripe down foiehead preferred; tan spot over each eye; body, dark blue on back, sometimes with black saddle; black spot on tail butt, lighter blue on under part, legs blue to knees and hocks; from there to toes red spotted— S points. General Appearance.— That of a small thickset dingo — 8 points. _ j Total points, 100 ' Faults. — Over or under size, leggine=<s, half pTick or lopping tais, over or under shot jaws; anything likely to diminish speed, sense or endurance. Remarks. — This standard, barring tht> markings, applies to any breed of cattle dog The blues however, have so signally proved themselves the best that the colour should te insisted on for perfection. They are. in fact, the only true breed of cattle clog we have at the present tini* — " Wattlebark." in tho Australasian, writes:— "ln days gone by there used to be several places about Melbourne where dogs were either taugnt their trade of veiinmkillin<y or where competitions took place with working terriers, rats and native cats being the game. So far as lam aware those useful establishments have been done away with, and, consequently, we have terriers who have no opportunity of learning their business, and who have neither the desire, ability, nor experience to coaie to close quarters with the every-day rat. Of course, such unseemly exhibitions as rat-kill-ing are not to bo thought of in the present timo; 'but I wish to remark, and my language is plain,' that if rat-killing by terriers is to bo abjured, the sooner wo do away with the dogs the better. There will then be more food left in the world for the rats to eat." # \ —On the subject of deafness in bull trrriers, a correspondent writes to Our Doe-., and says:— "ln the intere-t« of one of tlie noblest -varieties of English dogs. I venture to partially reproduce sonic remarks of mine published "more than five vcars ago. Tlio reasons still obtain, likewise the remedy. The oauso of doufneas in bull terriers is difficult to gi\o Some arc of opinion that tho white colour has to do with the matter, and tlieie are grounds for suoh belief; ( 1 it is common in the white Ennjish j^rrier*

rare in the blaek-and-tan. Also, it occurs in white specimens of several kinds of animals. Is or do 1 recall a deai bull terrier of a brindle colour. Others say m-breed-ing is a source of A iie tailing, but to this there are objections, for though the variety concerned is, and has been, largely so manufactured, on the contrary, the aforesaid white English terrier has not* to any extent. cropping was the vogue, the disciples of the natural-oared cult delighted to argue that here was tho cause; but tinio has proved them wrong, since it is not unsafe to remark that deafness is more in -evidence to-day than at any period in the history of the breed, and. moreover, further official legislation would bo a distinct advantage. At present there are loopholes for the scrupulous.- Tho existing Kennel Club rule on the subjoct reads thus: — "'A dog which is totally blind or totally denf . . shall be disqualified from competition or from receiving a prize i f awarded.' As a matter of fact, it may be taken for granted that not one dog in 200 is totally deaf. Yet there would be no exaggeration in putting tho number of bull terriers who suffer from defective hearing at 20 per cent., to such an extent as to render them useless as companions."' As a remedy it is suggested that an amendment of the regulation should b& made, so that a practically deaf dog should be prevented from winning at a show. Wore the alteration effected, breeders, on being convinced of the unsoundness of a young bull terrier, would promptly translate him to a better ■world, thus removing his potential harm on the rising generation, and fn process of time it would hardly seem an unreasonable supposition that a great obstacle to the popularity of the breed would appear in only isolated cases. — The follow ing treatment of mange is recommended by a writer in the Field : — After thoroughly washing the dog in warm, soapy water, and, if necessary, cutting the coat close to the skin, carefully dry the coat and skin, and then rub in the following mixture : — Equal parts of oil of tar, train oil, and turpentine. It may be remarked that the smell of this mixture is highly offensive. The remedy published by " Breeder" at various time^Jias proved most efficacious. Whale oil, 4 parts; kerosene, 2 parts, ; and flower of sulphur enough to make a thickish cream ; shake well, and apyly after well washing and drying the dog. Wash off in a wook, and repeat until cured. It is always advisable, in case of skin disease, to treat the dog for worms, as a large percentage of dogs are infeotod by either round or tape-worms, or both. Fast the dog for 24 hours, and then give from one grain of santonine and seven grains of areoa nut, for a puppy or small dog, up to four grains santonine and 20 areca nut for a Bt. Bernard. In an hour give a dos 9of oil. — Concerning a curious habit, Mr T. J. Dennehy writes in the London Field:— An Irish-bred setter belonging- to Mr Cornelius Callaghan, living at Beenbane, near Waterville, has developed or acquired a curious habit of taking out in its mouth any cups or bowls left- -on the kitchen table. It does not take -any -if any person is present. I was passing- by Cailaghan's house a few days ago and- saw this «etter come out (the door was opetr) with a cup in its mouth, which it very carefully deposited, without breaking-, a few yards opposite the house. Cailaghan's «istor,\vho was out at tho time, returned, and I spoke to her upon tho incident. She informed mo that this was an old habit of the setter, and that if ever she Mt cups or bowls on the table and wont out for oven a short time they worn romoved by the setter and placed outside at a little distanro from the door. — The sagacity of a dour has brought to justice a man now awaiting execution for murder in Valencia Gaol. The owner of the dog was killed in a sudden quarrel, and his body was scoretly buried by tho murderer and his confederates. The dog witnessed the crime and tho burial, and succeeded in escaping from the criminal*. The animal returned to its master's house, and by barking and running to the door induced the dead man's eldest son to follow. The dog made ite way straight to the grave, and began scratching up the ' earth. The police were called, and the j body was unearthed. The dog was still unsatisfied, and lod the- way. following a j Boent apparently to a cafo in the town, where it sprang at the throat of a man ! seated at a table. Ihe man was arrested, J an<l confessed to the murder of the dog'a I owner.