THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2804, 11 December 1907, Page 35

THE KENNEL.

Br Tihh'or.

Fanciers an<l breeder* of dogs are cordially invited to con. ribute items to this column. "Terror" will endeavour to niaku bii department «s interesting and up-to-date as possible, but 1* •r4er wd« thU he mini have the co-oneriuion ol lil.i readers bence k« trusts till* uiwtutiou m 111 be cheerfully re«iiouaod to.

—Mr W. A. Smith, the Napier foxterrier fancier, has an advertisement in this issue which should attract the attention of intending fanciers and these contemplating a change in Jox-terrier stock. Mr Smith writes to me that he has far too many terriers in his kennels at present, and as his employment necessitates absence from his home a good part of his time he is quitting, very reluctantly, with a few of his terriers. He will supply inquirers with full printed information* on application. Bearing in mind .that these kennels have won almost everything worth having in the north this year, there is surely sufficient guarantee as to the quality of his stock

— The general health of dogs is influenced to a great extent by the conditions under which they are kept. Animals kept chained up should certainly be allowed a Tun of at least 15 minutes each day. It often happens that they are not allowed a run more than once a week. To keep dogs chained up constantly is certainly cruel to the animals. They cannot be expected to keep in good condition when they are kept fastened up the whole of their time. Freedom is the natural condition of dogs. Thej fret and pine unless a certain amount of liberty is given every day. Of course, in come cases it is necessary to keep dogs for watching. They have then to be chained up the greater part of the time. But they should be allowed a run as often as possible. When dogs are chained they should be made comfortable in large, airy, and well-ventilated kennels. Shade .from the sun should also be provided. The chain should be a good length, and fitted with a couple of 6wivels to prevent it from twisting. If convenient, the kennel should be moved occasionally, thus giving the dog fresh ground. This is conducive to the health of the animal, and it keeps down offensive odours.

—An awkward and unpleasant incident • is mentioned in Our Dogs as happening to an_ English sportsman. The paper says : " While shooting at Buxted the other day a sportsman was suddenly set ut>on by wasps, his body being covered with them. The gentleman kept hia nerve, and refrained from interference with the insects, which crawled .upon his hands and over his face. After several minutes they suddenly flew off, and the sportsman was much relieved to find himself uninjured." — The bull terrier of late years met at • our show* has been pure white in colour, markings being considered detrimental to their chances in gaining awards. Now, according to Our Dogs, a protest is being made against this position, and a correspondent thus -writes: "I should like to say that I am very much interested in the subject. I believe the majority of unprejudiced people would prefer the brindle bull terrier to the white. I can never understand why «uch a grand breed should be so unpopular as it undoubtedly is, especially in Scotland, but I think many people object to the appearance of the white dogs, which always look pink about the eyes and nose, except when orepared for the show bench. Were the brindle colour allowed, this objection would disappear, and many people might be induced* to take up the breed. I think, too, that the brindle \logs are hardier and gamer than the white ; in any case, the colour is always a secondary consideration in a dog. A good dog, like" a good horse, cannot be a bad colour. Make and shape count for so much more. How often a dog is barred from the* show ring_ by some unfortunate marking, when otherwise he is a perfect specimen ! The deformity common in white bull terriers, deafness, is not got in brindles, end this is ' another point in their favour. I would like to see all colours that are allowed in bnlli dogs allowed in bull terriers, and I am sure the breed would then be much more popular."

— Judging from a paragraph in an English paper, the field dog's occupation is rapidly going, owing to men " driving " the game instead of dogs questing. The last straw is suggested by having men stationed to mark down wounded birds. The paragraph reads: "It was not at. all edifying to read an article whicli apppared in an esteemed contemporary advising the advantage of engaging a man specially to mark down birds when partridge driving 1 , for in the first place the practised shot can feel as soon as he has pulled the trigger whether or not he has hit his bird, and no matter how"- many more are passing, if in doubt, he will by instinct send the contents of the second cartridge after the same bird ; and no matter which shot brings it down somebody in the company is sure to see it fall ; then the retriever's chance should come in, and add to the enjoyment of the sportsman, where the ' marker down ' would I>3 a mere dummy if it happened to be a runner."