■ >♦ . THE KERNEL)

Otago Witness, Issue 2848, 14 October 1908, Page 35

■ >♦ . THE KERNEL)

By Terror. Fanciru and breedfrj of dog? art cordially invited to contribute to thi« column. " Terror " will endeavour to make tlm department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this he mutt hare the co-operation of his readeie, hence he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to. — Apparently there is to be no discussion in the Dunedin Fanciers' Club, as rumoured and. referred to in this column last week. At the annual meeting, leported below, the question wae not even raised, and tho newly-formed committee is almost as strong in doggie representation as it Tva3 last year, showing that the club in which the poultry element predominates is actuated in its selection of a committee purely by the question of the fitness of the candidates to run a. show on fancy lines, quite irrespective of the different interests involved— an exhibition of cc/ifidence in their impartiality whjch the

} Dunedin committee have certainly deserved by their past conduct. | — Mr W. Bailby, of Melbourne, it will interest New Zealand terrier men to learn, I is importing from England a pair of fox, terriers — the young dog Crumbo and tho two-year-old bitch Oxlip. The bitch Oxlip should be of great advantage to her race in Australia, both from her breeding and her capacity to throw animals of quality. She is the dam of that sensational yourjj; bitch Outline, the prophesied coming champion. It was chiefly this fact that induced Mr Cockbill to close for her. She comes hare mated to that successful young sire and chow dog Tally Ho. Oxlip is a daughter of champion Oxonion (England's premier sire) and Omen, the latter being by Mr F. Redniond's Da-rham (brotiier to that famous bitch champion Donna Fortuna). The young dog is a special item in this purchase, for he is said to be the best do 5 over bred by that* veteran fox terrier fancier, Mr J. C Tinne. He was whelped on the 17th January, 1907, and is by The President by Champion Oxonian — eh. The Sylph. His dam ia Goody, by cb. Leander — Penance, the latte> by Phillip Christian. The Sylph, it may be remarked, is a very notable bitch, and is considered by -- many authorities the beet ever produced. She won the. Fox Terrier Club's grand challenge- cup for Mr Tinnie ia 1905, 1966,- 1907, and was placed reserve ' for it -this- year. • Crumbo opened his show career when under eight months old, at Southampton, where, under Mr Sydney Castles, he won quite a number of firsts and specials in the members' classes. This success he followed up all through his puppy campaign, winning nearly. 40 prizes at 10 shows, unde. Meesra A. Ashton, • Desmond O'Connell, W. S. Glynn, Vicary, C. J. Robinson. J. W. Bainbridge, F. Reeks, Sydney Castles, and Lieutenantcolonel Heseltine. These wins were first in puppies at the following shows : — Kennel Club, Crystal Palace; Oxford: Fox Terrier Club: National Terrier Club; and Birmingham. His latest performances were first limit and firs/ open at Wantage in May last. It will be observed that Crumbo has only been shown at the fox terrier classical fixtures, and, consequently, under specialist judges. - — Mi H. E. Packwood, writer of •'Collie Chatter" for Our Dogs, cays: — "Several correspondents have recently sought my • view 3as to the wisdom of crossing smcothcoated collie bitches with rough doge. In each instance this breeding proposition has been suggested by the writers (who are probably novices) as the result of a shrewd idea that this would be a short cut to ' arrive at the blue merle ideal. It is argued that the colour is staple, if not common, in smooths, and, what is more important, in both type and qndlity they even surpass their rough brethren. A strong case may be made in favour of this method ; for instance, the mating of eh. Qaali£y of Dunkirk to a heavy-coated tricolour of the highest quality should produce, good-headed merles} and though coat -w ould be the nn- " certain factor, the prospect of succeeding to the extent of producing a champion rough blue merle ia not "unfavourable or inconsistent with experience. Refinement would certainly in an uncertain, meatfbre be cultivated at the expense of coat, but then it may be argued that quality and type are the more difficult to obtain, which i& quits true, for coat may be fairly established in about two crosses. Though I sco no difficulties or great objections to owners of smooths operating on these lines, I do not think it likely to prove the nearer way, and beyond the fact that my correspondents have the material in hand I fail tc recognise an advantage of the necessity of thie unorthodox crossing. Good smooths known to most of us owe their merit to a rough parent, and the crosj to obtain smooths is often favoured with success, but few instances are recorded of rough-coated collies succeeding from such brooding, the tendency being to lose rather than increase coat. Admittedly there aro few roucfh blue merle bitches of high quality, availablo. and fewer really Rood-br^d ones obtainable for breeding pur- | voses, n condition that is hardly comproi'ated for by the existc-nee of blue merles irf tl"3 oJJK'i- cxx ; but it should not bo j ov.-rlooki-rl that there are plenty of tr!j cqVmis of quality and excellent breeding j obta>ruiKo that should produce the desired i vcsu'.t, if mated to a rough blue merle, i «r.ch as are offered at stud." i —MrW. A. Smith, president of the New* j Zealand ,Fox Terrier Club, will move at tho annual meeting, to be held on the 14th inst. : — '"That rule 6 bo rescinded and th^ following substituted: — 'The; allotment of all trophies, prizes, produce stakes, and other etakee hereafter that may be organised shall be determined at the annual meeting of members of this club. The approval or otherwise of judges to adjudicate over fox terrier classes at shows at which the club's trophies, prizes, stakes, or other competitions are held, shall be decided by a majority of votes of all members first had and obtained. All other concerns of the club shall bo conducted by a committee, consisting of one delegate representing each province, elected by members of such province. The committee shall hold meeting* when necessary, three delegates to form a quorum. The president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer shall be ex officio members of the committee, who musbt be given sufficient notice of all meetings to be held Tho committee shall ha\e power to fill up vacancies in the commit tt»e during the jear. I — — The annual report of the commit iet* I of the New Zealand Fox Terriof Club, 1o be submitted to the annual meeting on. the 14th in->t., congratulates membcr-s on the continued success and prosperity of the club. The membership lat>t year stood at 63. The committee have struck off 16 unfinancial, but in cf thit rhc membership has increa«ed by 13. bringing the total up to 60. The committee notes with pleasure that mostly all new members now joining arc breeders and exhibitors, and point with pride to the high elandard of fox terriers at present in the Dominion. Another very handeome cup lias been provided for the wire-hair variety— the £25 Challenge Cup. It ie stated that a trial was made to start, four breeders' cups, but good support promised was not forthcoming. The committee announce that another effort will be made in the coming year to try and Induce breeders to subscribe to these cups, and, they hope, with better success. The report continues: — " Members continue to take a keen interest in the Produce Stakes. Last year's

nominations totalled 23 with 10 acceptances. Trophies to the v*lue of £72 are now travelling round, and a liberal supply of gocd medals is also offered for competition each year. The trophies may at any time be %yon outright, when it would be necessary to replace them, and it will also be advisable to etart others from time to time. Four different shows are receiving support this year, and it i 6 your committee's intention to still further increase the range of distribution this coming show season. The oemmittee desire to thank the following genfalenfen for donations, etc., to the club's funds:— W. A. Smith, Esq., president ; J. J. Jamiescn, J. Webster, S. H. Graves. Paul Hunter, and J. W. Thomson. During the year eight committee meetings were held, and the attendance was as follows:— Auckland, 8; Hawke'B Bay, 6; Wellington, 7; Dunedin, 3." The balance sheet shows receipts £51 Is, inclusive of subscriptions and entrance fees, £15 le ; Produce Stakes, £4 12s £d ; donations, £11 3s. Expenditure amounted to £48 Is lOd. the only large item being cup, £25. The bank balance at the end of the year was £2 18s 2d. — If the police find dogs useless coUaborators, .thieves and other dishonest gentry would seam io find no difficulty in profit* ing by canine intelligence,- as witness the. foUowiii-r incident t — A lady — Madame Datncel — was taking* her moraing ocawtititt-t-ional in the Avenue D'Jena. A sliabbilydressod individual,' followed by », pretty little fox terrier, overtcok her, and asked her to buy the animal, praising its many qualities and tricks, including that of ropeekipping aaid carrying parcels. The l«dy became interested, and wanted to see the dog put to th-a test at once. Nothing loth, the man told her to give the reticule she was carrying to the dog, and she would ee^ how cleverly he could carry it for her. Mine. Daucel complied. The terrier amply fulfilled all that its master had sax! about it He did skip, only not with the cord, but with the reticule containing 800fr, and in 10 seconds was out of sight. The man, needless to cay. disappeared too, and neither he nor his cleverly-trained terrier thief has been seen or heard of qinoe. — A funny story is going the round in Dublin. The tram conductors are nr.ost particular in not allowing dogs imside. Tfca rule, Tigidly enforced, seriously disobliges not only the pcor canme, but his adoring owner on a wet day. The other day, a pretty, daintily-clad girl waa caught in a shower, and hurried into a tram with her pet dachshund. "I can't allow no dogs inside," ©aid tho conductor. The girl jumped off, taking her dog, and, as a laet word, said : " I'll bring my dog into your car yet." The «ame evening, a neatlyuniformed nurse, bearins- a baby, got in, and took her seat. Th© child was wearing a pretty cashmere pelisse, dainty hood, and thick veil, and was nicely gloved with wcolly bags. ' When the conductor came round the- nurse lifted a corner of -the Shetla-nd veil and showed him .a sweet brown face with forgiving topa« eyes — her dogt History does not repeat what the conductor either said or. thought, but infante in arms go free, and the young kdy had triumphed. At, -the annual -meeting of the South Island British Bulldoe- Club, held in Mr Sta-tham's office on "September 30, the following office-b©a.rers we're - elected : — President, Mr W. Downie Stewart; vioepreeidenis—Messrs E. H. Lough. B. Staunton (Dumedin), C. G. CutH (Wellington). N 6. Watson (Palmerston Noi-th), and W H. Towneud (Ghristehurch) ; committee—Messrs T. Snow, C. IT. Statham, U. C. Hoffman, J. G. Adair, R. Hopkius, and R. Martin ; hon. sec. and tre26., Mr R. 8. Menztee. The meeting was an enthusiastic one, and the success of the club for the coming year is as'vured. The annual report submitted was as follows: — " Tho committee, in preserttiiipc thc-ir first annual report, havn to cougratulaT? tho members on ihe -«at ief aotory p<:*it on of tha club, bcth financially and as retjarc's membership. TKe membership of tV> dub at tbe end of Ihe financial year was 25. and the balance she-c-t indicates that; the finanoea are in a satisfactory ccnditVji. At the same time, it must be pointed out tlia.f, our reunite fc-»- the current yar wi'i bo !f\3 tlrm in ■*!.--* past year, bat- tlw* oomnM:! 11 ! h-cpes thai Uio support accorded will warrant even a niors r-atißfactory report at tho end of tho \car. Dur!.n># ihtt past year 4Lo club dcna.ied various special priaes to iuo Duoiedin and Christchurch fihowe, and these were keenly competed fcr. In thw oojincctJon the followirur pezitl-emc-n dfth>"*r'.i» tr.d thank*, of +he dub for generously rircaciitinjjr trophic* and donations — vial : Messrs R. Mautiu, W. Downie Stewart, A. W.Wilkins (Sydney), R. C. Reynolds, E. Webster. H. J. Mee33, E. H. Lough, G. C. Hoffmann, R- S. Menniea. The committee during th* yaar .opened a special prize fond account, and all donations received will bo placed to tho credit of this account, and' thus be earmarked for a specific purpcee. The aeMstance of members is folicitcd in the direet'on of securing derations from admirers of the br,eed. Lax^ely a« the result of the efforts of th-> club the display of bulldoga at the Dunedin ap>l Christchurch shows waa superior to anythincr previo?uly =oeu in tho Dominion, and the committee f-eel cottain that the breed has lartrdy- im moved by tho ■exist.once cf the ;lub. which lias, without doubt, a successful future before it."