THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 35

THE KENNEL.

By Tereoe.

'^Mtoiers and breeder* of dogs are coiaialiy 'nvited to contribute to this column. •' Terroi " will •ndetTour to make this department as interest fig and' up-to-date as possible, but in order to do tin- %• must h*ve the 00-operation of hi* reader-, beocs he trusts tint invitat»ou will be chseiful'j responded to. bull terrier is explained b> Youatt to be a cross between the bulldog and the terrier. It is generally superior both in appearance arid value to either of its progenitors and forms a steadier friendship rhah either of them, the principal objection being its love of wanton mischief and the dangerous irascibility which it occasionally exhibits. Sir Walter Scott— a warm friend of dogs, and whose veracity cannot be -impeached— gives an interesting account of a favourite one belonging to him. '' The cleverest dog I ever had was what is called a bull-dog terrier. I taught him to understand a great many words, insomuch that I em positive the communication between the canine species and ourselves might be greatly enlarged. Camp, the name of my clog, oijpp bit the baker when bringing bread to the family. I beat him, and explained the enormity of the offence; after .which, to the last moment of his life, he iipver heard the least allusion to the story without creeping into the daikest corner

of the room. Towards the end of his life, when he was unable to attend me while I was on horseback, he generally "watched for my return, and when the servant used to tell him his master was coming down the hill or through the moor, although he did not use any gesture to explain his meaning, Camp was never known to mistake him, but either went out at the front to go up the hill or at the back to get down to the moor-side."

— Many persons have a very foolish custom of throwing stones that their dogs may dive or run after them and bring them to their owners' feet. The consequence is that their teeth are soon worn down ; and there are too many cases on record in which the stone has been swallowed. It has been impeded in its progress through the intentinal canal, inflammation has ensued, and the animal has been lost, after having suffered the most dreadful torture. Professor Simmonda (quoted by Youatt) relates a case in which a dog was thus destroyed. The animal for some days previous to his admission into the hospital had refused his food, and there was obstinate constipation of the bowels, to remove which aperient medicine had been given. The pulse was accelerated, there was distension of the abdomen, with evident tenderness on pressure, the extremities were cold, no fceces were voided, and he occasionally vomited. Some aperient medicine was given, which was retained on the, stomach, and external stimulants were resorted to, but two days afterwards he died. The intestines we're examined, and the offending body was found to be a common pebble. The dog had long been accustomed to fetch stones out of the water. One of these had passed through the stomach into the intestines, and after proceeding some distance along them had been impacted there. The inflammation was most intense so far as the stone had gone, but in the part of the intestine which it had not reached there was not any. This was an interesting and instructive case, and should make its dutj impression.

— The London Bulldog Society held a most successful show on November 12, when no fewer than 468 entries were received, which constitutes a record entry for this society. The champions (Uxbridge, Matchless, ond Silent Duchess) won the premier awards in the section for " big-un.«," whilst in the toy section Merstham Snowdrop won her tenth championship, and Stokenchurch Paul won the highest honours in dogs. There was an excellent attendance, largely due to the prominence given to the event by the London evening papers, one of which headed its report of the show with the words, " £12,000 Worth of Bulldogs on View."

— The Fox Terrier Club show at Cheltenham received splendid support, as no fewer than 508 entri-« were received — another proof of the hr'.t i's popularity. The uniformity in type was most marked, and the old-time cobby specimens seem to have disappeared entirely from the show bench.

—An idea of the importance of the last show of the Australian Ladies' Kennel Club can be formed by comparison with the recent fixture of the Ladies' Kennel Association in England. An entry of 560 dogs was received at the English fixtui-e, while close on 800 came to band for the Australian Ladies' Kennel Club.

— During summer fleas cause much annoyance to dogs. A method which is said to have proved successful is to sprinkle the coat of the dog with the following mixture :— Srvrit of camphor, loz; pure carbolic <-.<i. one drachm; warm water, one pint. Miy the whole well, and use with a fine spray so as to apply it evenly and thoroughly. — A -case of much interest to dog and cat fanciers was concluded at the County Court Melbourne, recently. Plaintiff (Mrs A. H. M'Lennan, hon. secretary of the Australian Ladies' Kennel Club) sued Mr Charles Cameron (printer and publisher of the Australian Poultry and Kennel World) to recover £500 damages for alleged libel, contained in a footnote published in connection with a letter sent to the journal by Mrs D. M. Matthews. The footnote complained of read as follows: — '"You are entitled to full information. Manipulation of the entry and the continuous evasion of any reply to your inquiries (as the hon. secretary is also an exhibitor and competitor in cats) should induce investigation by the- authorities." The jury, after a short retirement, found that the defendant had "exceeded the limits of fair comment." and awarded Is damages. Judire Johnston entered judgment for plaintiff, but declined to make any order in regard to costs.

—An amusing episode is reported from Venice. During the Kaiser's visit a royal lackey took Ihe two famous Imperial dachshunds early in the morning on shore for exercise. They had no muzzles, and it was not long before both were securely caught by the lassoes of the police. In vain did the lackey, who could not speak Italian, point to the Imperial Arms on his cap. The policeman was inexorable: "The law here is the same for all. You will have to pay the fine and the curs will be killed." Lackey and dogs were then taken to the police station, where, however, the magistrate took a different view and let them both free, so there was no '•diplomatic incident." Yet there are many people who would have welcomed the destruction of these particular dogs as but a fail retiibut'.on for the anxiety they have caused to distinguished visitors to the Kaiser.