THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 57

THE KENNEL.

By Terror.

Fanciers and breeders of dogs are cordially inrited to contribute to this column. M Terror ’’ will endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this ho must have the co-operation ot his renders, hence he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to.

__ —Mr George MTntosh, manager of the National Bank of Dunedin, is importing a pair of Belton Setters. It goes without saying that these dogs will be of good strain, and fanciers generally will be pleased with this evidence that the interest in sporting dogs is not on the wane. The huge record put up by the Kennel Club (England) for its last year’s show has, according to (published ‘Statements, been beaten by “ Cruft’s Show,’’ which took place last month in the Agricultural Hall, Islington, for the total entry is 3950, against the K.C. record of 3898. Spaniels, exclusive of the Toy varieties, numbered 345. fox terriers 287, Pomeranians 257, retrievers 238, bulldogs (exclusive of miniature and French) 221. while fiv© other breeds made oyer 100. There were 44 judges and 49 ring stewards. Some time since I reported that at the instance of field sportsmen, the English Kennel Club brought in a rule that made it compulsory for a field dog to gain his championship honours in the field, and at trials recognised by the Kennel Club. Previously the champions were but “carpet knights,” and may have bad no field experience, or even a nedding acquaintance with the birds they were supposed to bo bred to quest. That rule was influentially supported, and was a most reasonable one. Irately, however, a suggestion came forward from the Northern and Midlands Spaniel Club to abolish the rule. So far no official intimation of the Kennel Club’s decision has been made, but, according to the English canine preys, the suggestion has not been received with favour.

The policy (says “ Wattlobark,” an Australian writer) that animals bred for a specific purpose should show the “ mettle of the pasture” is gaining ground on every side The age is becoming more utilitarian than formerly. Now dogs of known working breeds are encouraged at shows, and on the Continent terriers, etc., have their allotted practical tasks set them before they can gain a prize. We find the same policy being carried out with dairy stock, and our hens have to toe the line before people will take the trouble of housing them. It 's very proper that animals should show some other reason for their existence than having a handsome form or brilliant plumage. In Australia it is very important that the utilitarian side should be kept in view, and it mav lie hoi>ed that our canine and poultry societies will not lose sight of the growing demand for useful dogs and reproductive poultry. The. eye of the dog is constructed somewhat differently from the eye of man, in this respect: that in’the case of the dog there is an additional eyelid, which is known o« the "haw”; and the object of this (which is a membrane) is to sweep tho globe of tho eye free from any particles of foreign matter that may lodge upon it. It also seems to bo affected by tho general health of the animal, and if there is any inflammation flying about, this third eyelid ae a tendency to expand. Thus it is that during an attack of distemper, for example, there is very often what people who do not know better describe as a “ film ” over the eye, and this gives rise to the supposition that the dog is going blind. It is nothing of the sort, Tho film will disappear when the normal health of the animal is restored; and it is dangerous to interfere too much with the eye on that account. Simply bathe it with a little milk and water or some very weak zinc sulphate lotion if the dog appears to have trouble with his eye; otherwise leave the matter done and let it right itself, as it will do later on.

Ansemia is a complaint that dogs very often suffer from, and particularly small dogs of the more delicate varieties. It is not verv difficult to understand why this should bo the case, because a large number of these delicate little pots have been bred under condition® that are not altogether conducive to health and strength. Anaemia, however, is not confined to Toy dogs by any means, because it is liable to attack any dog that is kept under what might be called unhealthy conditions; dogs that are kept in dark places or that are insufficiently exercised, or that axe not fed on suitable foods, can hardly bo expected to come up to the normal standard of health, and consequently they suffer from anaemia, which Is really bloodlesness —want of nutrition, —and i® iii-

dicatod by feebleness and by a bloodless look about the lips and gums. The cure for anaemia is to give the dog a generous diet, and improve the condition of his blood by giving some form of iron. I know of nothing better in this way than Parrish’s chemial food, which oomtainp phosphate of iron and other ingredients that tend to nourish the blood and give health and vigour to the patien. - some interest to mentilon here a fact in connection with the administration of iron as a medicine that is not generally known Iron can be got into the system much more thoroughly and effectively in combination with sugar than in anj othlei way. That is why a syrup 'ike Parrish’s chemical food forms so excellent a medium for giving iron. Another splendid way to give iron is in the form known ns “saccharated carbonate,” which is much more effective than ordinary carbonate. This saccharated carbonate of iron is supplied by veterinary chemists in the gelatin© capsule form, and I may add that not only is that a good tonic, but it is especially beneficail tc\ dogs addicted to worms, particularly small Toy dogs. Iron in any form discourages worms, and in the saccharated form it is moro readily assimilated into the system as a tonic than in any other shape. —Mr James R. Keen©, the American financier, who has been lying so ill in London, was once asked why a millionaire like him still strived to make more money. “Why,” retorted ho, “does a dog want another rabbit? Your dog will chase the millionth rabbit as though it were the first he’d ever seen. He’ll strive and strain in the pursuit, of it to the point of heartbreak. And yet he will cast it aside "when killed and begin quartering the ground to start another. To the last gasp of his breath that dog will chase his rabbit. When you tell me why that dog wants another rabbit, I will tell you why I want more money.”—London Opinion. “When you sold mo this dog, you said he was good for shooting.” “So ’e is, guv’nor. ’E ought to be shot on sight.” —ln the past.' when plague was in the air. it was the dog, rather than the rat, that died. All dogs found in the street were killed. Here is an order issued to the citizens of Winchester in 1583: ‘That if any house within the cytie shall happen to be infected with the Plague, that there everye persono to keepe within his or her house everye his or her dogg, and if any dogg be founde at large it shall be lawful for the Beadle or any other person to kill the same dogg, and that any Owner of such Dogg going at large shall lose six shillings." Of more personal precautions, on© recalls Wolscys custom of carrying an orange containing a scented sponge whenever he gave audience to poor petitioners. —Daily Chronicle.

A NEW METHOD OF WRITING UP SHOW ENTRIES. —lmportant to Show Secretaries. — (By W T , Leslie May son.) What, I suppose, is the usual method of “writing up’’ the entries for dog shows has always appealed 1 to me as unsatisfactory and liable to contain many omissions and mistakes. That is the system of having large sheets —one far each class —ruled with columns for the various items that have to go in the catalogue, as per Kennel Club requirements. One of its chief drawbacks was, say, in a show of 100 classes—that dealing with a dog that was entered in its breed classes and then in the varieties. The dork who was writing up the breed classes had to either pass the form on to someone else to complete or borrow the sheets containing the mreity classes. Another thing which gives the catalogue an irregular appearance is that after the first class or two in each breed the numbers do not appear in numerical order, making it difficult for steward!? to cheek off the exhibits when entering the ring. The method I am about to describe obviates all these difficulties, and I find saves time into the bargain. It is to give every entry a separate piece of paper —say about Bin hy sin, —printed as follows: — Class Number Exhibitor Dog Breeder Born Sire Dam ; Price Also in.... We will assume I am entering up a dog that is in classes 1,2, 3,4, 90, 92, 96, and 100. This dog will require eight sheets, th details onlv being given on the first. When tho eight are. complete the lowest class is put on the top, and the forms all fastened together either with a pin or other means, and 1 put on one side. When all the entries arc written up (some dogs will only have one sheet, others may have as many as a dozen), taking the top sheet which is tire first class the dog is entered in and which will have the full particulars on. each bundle is put with others of tho same class, and the numbering then becomes a simple matter, taking the example as the first on© we oorno to, the bumifle of eight sheets simply requires the number “1” inserting in the space. There is no turning over of the large sheets looking for the different class numbers—they are all together. When the numbering is complete, the sheets are put in order from 1 to IOO’, and then each class assorted in numerical order, according to the dog’s number. If we have 1000 entries, there are 1000 sheets in hand'y form for the printer. —Our Dogs.