THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 35

THE KENNEL.

By Terror,

Fanciers and breeders of dogs are cordially in- ; ' riled to contribute to this column. “ Terror ” will . endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this ' he must have the co-operation of his readers, henoe he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully 1 responded to. I —Mr B. EMis (Kaikorai) hue just been presented by Kaikorai Kit with a nice litter ' of pups—three dogs and two bitches. The sire is Glendon Major, so with these pups Mr Ellis, who is a. new member of the Dunedin Fanciers’ Club’s committee, it is hoped will be able to again beat the cracks as he did at last show. Mr Rogon will have to look to his laurels. —Mr C. Webster, the genial and valuable treasurer of the Dunedin Fanciers’ Cub, ia now spending a well-deserved holiday in North Canterbury, and it is the hope of all his friends that he will have a good time. By the way, talking of Mr Webster reminds mo that he is again taking up withwires, having purchased a dog pup from Mr Thomson, and with them and 2 bitches ho has the members of a good kennel. I am now in a irosition to report furthen on the trio of Yorkshire terriers recently imported. Those are for Mr White, of Wyndotte fame, and it is pleasing to report that they are fully up to Mr White’s expectations. —An Australian contemporary writes:— Dogs from New Zealand cannot now bo landed in Australia without the written permission of the Stock Branch, and payment of an inspection fee of ss. If, by any chance, a dog is got ashore in defiance of the regulations, the owner or his agent is liable to a penalty of £25. So take heed, ye importers of New Zealand dogs! DAY OF THE DOG COMES IN' LONDON. I Every dog his his day, they say. and this is surely the day of every dog. Never in all the long history of comradeship between man and dog has there been a time when the canine race was held in such high regard as now, when every care is taken by millions of dog owners and dog lovers to secure the comfort, and well being of one of man’s most faithful friends. The Protection of Animals Bill (says the Observer), which has just received the a Royal assent and now passes on to the Statute Book, marks a very decided advance in public opinion on matters affecting animals generally and dogs in particular when .compared, with that widespread attitude of indifference prevailing 50 years ago. The new act secures, among other things, the prevention of revengeful treatment of dogs or other animals after a conviction of an owner for cruelty, and provides a deterrent to the cruel treatment of performing animals. It also provides for the inspection of spring traps every 12 hours, anti imposes penalties on those who sell poisoned grain or seed, or who place poison without taking reasonable precautions against access to it by dogs or other domestic animals. > Contrast this legislation with the comparatively hard times for animal life that followed the great hydrophobia epidemic. Many dogs wore then destroyed, and there . was universal muzzling. It is noticeable j how much more secure a place the dog : has gained in the affections of the people, ; from the highest to the lowest classes in the • last decade or two. Instead of chaining ! the dog up in dull back yards or of muzzling the animal on every appearance in a public place, there is_ on every hand a remarkably demonstrative desire to make much of tins most valued among domestic pots.

There were last year in Great Britain 1,826,841 dogs in respect of which licenses were issued. These were dogs that were ’ happy enough to have owners and homes. ■ To this number must be added 290,000 dogs happy in exemption from license, making a total accounted for in the official returns of the Board of Agriculture and in the official accounts of the Inland Revenue Department of well over 2,000,000 dogs. Upward of another 100,000 may be added to this census of the dog life of Britain on account of ownerless, homeless dogs, which always seem to manage, to escape the policemen as well as the tax collector. The numbers show no very remarkable increase on those of 10 years ago, when dog licenses totalled 1,525,273 amd exemptions totalled 546,346. England has the preponderance of dogginess with Scotland next and Wales third, and in England, orkshire, Lancashire, and London possess the largest number of dog*?. During the last financial year for which returns are available, the local taxation licenses produced in London Countyalone £61,417 in respect of dogs, the County of Middlesex following with a contribution from dog licenses of £20,039. Not for at least three years has any muzzling order troubled the canine peace | of mind and natural love of liberty. Now • devices for dog comfort are continually being put forward, new methods of dog- \ treatment invented by -skilled dog doctors, ; and there is even in existence at Brixton j an institute for the training of canine I nureosj, who, both men and women, shall ’ have a better acquaintance with dog diseases. The number of dogs’ homes in London and various parts of the country has considerably incrc?6 d in the last few ! years, and there was, too, until lately, at '■ any rate, a dog’s cemetery in Hyde Park, j Many veterinary surgeons specialise in ‘ doggie ailments, and an expert dog doctor i can command high foes, just as does the i eminent specialist who treats the mere | human. _ 1 | Dog clothiers make fine raiments, from I the jewelled, collars, which adorn the toy j spaniels and Pekingese pots of pretty j actresses and society belles, to the warm | woven and braided coats which cloth© I coursing dogs and show prize winners. Railway companies are besought to view j ! dogs as passengers, rather than as baggage, 1 and to provide accommodation accordingly, , j including a supply of drinking water. | j Breeders and owners are encouraged to imI prove the canine race and to exhibit of ■ their best at numerous shows and field I trials, of which there will bo 114 between i the beginning of September and tih© end j of the year. i