THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 63

THE KENNEL.

Bt Tebrob

Fanoi«ra and breeders of dogs are cordially Invited to contribute to this column. “Terror 1 ' will endeavour to make this department as Interesting and up-to-date os possible, but in order to do thic he must have the 00-operatiou of his readers, hence ho trusts this invitation will be cheerful!; responded to. —Mr J. Thomson has purchased a smooth fox terrier bitch (Mentone Muzurka) from the kennels of Mr Norman Wade, of Auckland. At Napier this year this bitch, under Mrs S. Devereaux, got six firsts and a special for the best bitch in the show. Its breeding is of the very best, and it’ is now in whelp to Westpoint Farmer. Fanciers will he pleased to learn that Mr Thomson is renewing his interest in a fancy in which in the past he has done so well. Mention is annually made in some portion of the kennel world of tho difficulties which arise when a special is given for competition among dogs of several breeds The judge is almost bound to have a leaning towards some particular breed, the good points of which impress him more than do those of breeds witli which necessarily he is less familiar, and it is almost a foregone conclusion that whatever h;s decision may be, it will be unpopular except among the specialists of the winning breed. It is being cliamod in Australia just now _ that what is wanted to prevent a fiasco in the allotment of such a prize is a good, “allround ” judge; but I fancy it would bo farbetter if show committees discouraged tho giving of such specials altogether. A kennel scribe in Australia, in an opening paragraph to his notes a week or two back, says: —“Fanciers and breeders ol do'gs are cordially invited to contribute to this (the Kennel) column.” He says he is as anxious as possible to make his department interesting; but in order to do so he must have tho co-operation of his readers; hence he trusts his invitation will bo cheerfully responded to. I make this quotation merely to demonstrate that kennel lanciers elsewhere, just as they are here, are a class apart—i.e., blind to their own interests or to the interest of tho fancy. There are only a very few “ wide-awakes” among the canine fanciers of any community, unless it be at show-time, and then surprise is expressed that the entries are not what they used to be. If dog-owners would avail themselves of the columns- sot apart in their local paper, so that others could get to know of their existence as fanciers, they would soon learn that tho possession of a good dog was a matter of interest to others as well as themselves. As kennel scribe, I have announced over and over again that I don’t want to keep on writing about doings in England, America, and Australia, or of the opinions of men in those countries; but I want to treat upon local matters. I want (because I know my readers do) to speak of purchases, of matings, of litters, of wins, and of local kennel troubles, and I am satisfied that there would soon be an increase of interest in the fancy generally if I could publish paragraphs of that nature from tho great body of fanciers, instead of, as at present, from some half a dozen fanciers only. So far I have referred only to the lack of news which it would cost fanciers nothing to supply; but there is another subject I would like to refer to, and that is advertising. The cost of a 16-word advertisement above this column is only Is, and yet I have received scores of letters in my time asking where to get a dog of some particular breed! People don’t merely ask for dogs of rare breeds, but for collies, retrievers, terriers, bulldogs, and spaniels! Why don’t they advertise for them? Why don’t those who have litters of those breeds to dispense with let the world know of the fact? Surely it is bettor to spend a shilling than to drown dogs, which probably would on the average fetch £1 a piece. Dog-breeders do not, if they are true sports, keep dogs merely for profit-making; but I have not met many who are reluctant to make them pay for their keep; and it is because, as a rule, dogs do not pay for their keep that so many go out of the fancy. —An inquirer for legal advice is notified as follows in an English paper: —“ Dog Bite (R. Findlay, Ayr). —The English law does allow a dog his first bite, which in law is termed scienter. That lays down that it is incumbent upon tho person bitten by another pci-son’s dog to prove that the owner of the dog had previous knowledge of the tendency on his dog’s part to bite mankind. This tendency is generally interpreted to mean knowledge on tho owner’s part that his dog had actually bitten someone previously. Some judges, however, will accept more modified evidence —such as the dog having attacked a person without having actually bitten that person. In all likelihood the Scottish Judiciary will treat the matter much on the same lines. This scienter, or previous knowledge on the owner’s part of the dog’s vicious tendency, docs not apply to the dog attacking animals —that is, a coat of another colour ’ entirely,—and has little ot- no bearing upon the dog biting human beings. In your particular case ’ it might be urged by the owner of the dog that while his dog may hnvo a vicious tendency to attack and worry other animals, he has not a tendency to bite mankind, and that the bite he inflicted upon the lady holding tho Pomeranian in her arms was done by misadventure, the dog’s real object being to attack and bite tho Pomeranian. Had the dog bitten the Pomeranian instead of the lady, and inflicted damage upon it. or killed it, we are of opinion yon would, with such a character behind the dog as yon appear to be able tc prove, have been able to obtain damages against the owner.”

A Large Litter. —Our Dogs says:—“ We thought 19 pups in one litter was a record for a St. Bernard hitch; but we find it is not. Mr E. W. Davenport writes:—‘Wo once had a smooth bitch called Sonata, rather on the small side, but a good winner. She had 21 pups to Marango, a smooth dog owned by Mr Thos. Little, of Coin. She was in a great state about the size of her family, but solved the problem to her own satisfaction by eating all but eight, which she roared well.’ We think this is a unique experience, for, as a rule, when a bitch begins to eat her pups, she docs not leave nny alive, unless they are taken from her. We should like to know if this is the iar crest litter on record. —A.W.”

M'KENZIE COLLIE DOG CLUB.

The adjourned meeting of members of the above club took place on the 25th ult., and, though somewhat sparsely attended, enthusiasm was not wanting. The company was a very representative one, and a satisfactory record of business was registered. On taking the chair the president (Mr S. Briant) said he wished to tender tho club’s condolence with those members who were in grief for those who had fallen gallently m fighting for their country. He was sure all present truly sympathised with those, too, who were in deep concern for those near to them, whose whereabouts were shrouded in mystery. But, though they were all deeply grieved for tho well-being of their comrades, there was to them all that measure of solace and comforting thought that they had gone to battle with true British soldiers’ hearts, and had proved themselves heroes, whose valiant deeds would be written in the Empire’s history. The fact that so many members of tho club had shown themselves worthy of the highest praise from a military point spoko well for tho standard of the club’s supporters, and the fact that so many of their hardest workers had gone forth should be accepted by those left behind that they should prove capable in maintaining their old club during their absence. Ho felt sure if the club was allowed to go back during their absence their soldier members would have a very poor opinion of them; so he hoped the whisper that was going around that there would be no trials next year would, before their meeting broke up, bo strangled for ever —a view that was subset qucntly taken up by other speakers. Speaking on tho report and balance sheet, the chairman said the finances of tho club were sound, even better than the previous year, notwithstanding the amount of adversity the club had to contend with. The congested state of the sheep market, having so dislocated most sheep work, and upset usual arrangements, of getting the annual drafts away, clipping over, etc., nevertheless their annual trials meeting had proved a very satisfactory one in general, though most regrettably the standard of work done was none too pleasing. The usual comprehensive vote of thanks was passed to all those who had given such material help during the year, particularly Mr M. L. Elliot for judging, Mrs Hayter for use of ground, the donators of the many splendid special prizes, and Mr I. Cuthberteon for acting as timekeeper throughout the meeting. . , At termination of year s operations a heartv vote of thanks was also passed to the retiring president (Mr S. Briant), and also to the secretary (Mr Smith) Mr R. Cowan was voted to the chair for the remainder ot the evening, and called for nominations to fill the various posts for tho ensuing year. Those were ultimately filled as follows: Patron, Mr J. W. Grant; president, Mr Allan M‘Gregor;’ vice-presidents—Messrs G. MTntosh, Geo. Keeffe, and H. Struthers (these four gentlemen to form the Executive Committee). The other positions were most satisfactorily filled, and ensure a very successful carrying out of the desires of the club. A suggestion to restrict the annual trials met with short shrift, and a. programme very similar to last year s was adopted. The altering of Class II from a drive, yard, and drive to a short pull, yard, and drive was practically the only alteration. All the open events with District Maiden prizes. It was loft to the Executive Committee to decide whether to use merino or halfbred wethers, since possibly merinos prove the more difficult to procure. It was agreed to adhere to the usual dales for the competitions—viz., last Thursday and Friday in March. It was agreed to vote £2 every three months to tho Wounded Soldiers’ Relief Fund from September 1. The action of the Executive Committee having already voted £2 was confirmed, and augmented accordingly.