THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 61

THE KENNEL.

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Fanciers and breeders of dogs ar* cordially In Tited to contribute to this column. "Terror'' wil endeavour to make this department aa interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do thjf he must have the 00-operation of his readers hence he trusts this invitation will be oheeriul!.' reepouded to.

A Home writer says:—-"It is the weedy bitch not good enough for show which, because it is of good strain, is too often recognised as a ' sure ' breeder, and is consequently used as such, the result being that she becomes a drag on the breed." The writer continues: —"One has only to turn to a kennel where great attention is paid to the selection of brood bitches. Wherever you see a good brood bitch which has been bred from good stock on _ the female side for two or three generations, then will you see prize youngsters being turned out Utter after litter almost automatically. This is an indisputable fact, and I consider it a most important point in breeding." Show time coming on, it is well that fanciers should understand that_ there always was, always is, and always will be honest differences of opinion as to the merits and demerits of dogs, notwithstanding the greae progress in the study and education of the cult of the classic dog. Indeed, great education on the points of dogs sometimes accentuates differences of opinion. " And." says Theo. Marples, " this difference of opinion, if legitimate, although it sometimes momentarily hurts._ when it clashes with tho opinion (or self interest) of others, is really a blessing in disguise, since it furnishes that glorious uncertainty in exhibiting which gives it a charm and plquanoy to the true sportsman and sportswoman, and keeps the exhibition pendulum E ringing. Would that more of thatsportg instinct pervaded the great exhibition terest in this country, but which, I must confess, faulty as it is at times, is more

marked in Britishers than in any other race with whom I have had the privilege ot coming in contact, and which includes Americans, Canadains, South Africans, French, Russians, Austrian*, Bavarians. Hungarians, Dutch, Norwegians, Belgians, and last, but not least, Germans, who are the worst sportsmen in kennel matters it has ever been my ill-fortune to meet." With many dogs a cough is the first symptom of incipient distemper. It may, however, be that a dog develops a hollow stomachic cough, which is duo to the pre sence of worms in his stomach, or it may be that the cough is a sign of digestive disturbance, perhaps originating in the state of the liver, .which is affected very early in many cases of distemper. When a dog has a hollow-sounding stomachic cough, therefore, the, best thing to do is to physic him straight away for worms, and satisfy yourself that ho is free from these pests; and if the cough still continues, then it will be wise to suspect distemper. In distemper (says a writer in " Our Dogs ") there is always a great deal of digestive disturbance, and it is only natural that that disturbance should bo indicated by a cough, which will disappear when the normal state of health returns. The writer continues: " There is, however, another form of cough in cases of distemper which is very much more serious. I mean a cough originating in the lungs, which are very susceptible of distemper, and, indeed, are in many cases the chief seat of the disease. Lung cough in distemper, if neglected, is likely to end in pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs, and should therefore be attended to as soon as it makes its appearance. There are plenty of simple remedies for lung cough, such as, for example, equal narts of glycerine and syrup of quills, with a few drops of ipecacuanha wino,_ a teaspoonful of which, more or less, according to the size of the dog, may be given as often as is necessary to relievo the cough." Many people who keep dogs are often of opinion that if dogs be fed upon raw meat distemper is sure to result. In the first place, it is as well to stato_ that raw meat given in reasonable quantity is not only not harmful, but is a necessity to keep dogs in robust health. Raw /meat is the natural food of a dop, and in' a wild state it would go very hungry and get very anxious if dependent on a canine chef—in fact, to save time and the trouble with domestics, the wild clog takes its meat raw. Concerning distemper, it is only necessary to say that the food given the dog has nothing to do with the disease. Distemper is acquired from a germ obtained in most cases from contact with a diseased dog or an article previously used by, or in connection with, a diseased animal. The following instance of canine fidel'ty is related hv a townsman (states t!kWaitara Mail): —Wishing to "dispose" of a dog, ho took it in a boat towards the mouth of the river, and. having attached it to "a heavy stone in the usual fashion, he stood up in the boat and threw the stone and dog overboard. He failed to notice, however, that the rope was round his leg, and the pull of the weight caused him to overbalance. He followed .the dog into the water, the rope at the same time breaking. The dog reached the shore, and then the owner of the dog also reached the bnnk. The dog was then in a state of great agitation, with the man's hat in his mouth. Needless to say, the dog received a reprieve. KYEBURN DOG TRIALS CLUB. The first annual trials held at Kyeburn by the newly-formed Collie Dog Club at the end of last week were a- great success. The weather was very fine, after the heavy rain of the day preceding the trials, and liberal patronage was bestowed on the various events. Mr A. N. Hawkes (the secretary) had all arrangements well in hand, and this gentleman and the committee are to be congratulated on the success of their first venture. The four events were as follow: MAIDEN .(heading, bringing back, and yarding). About a quarter of a mile. Time, 10 minutes. Open to dogs within a 12-mile radius of Kyeburn Post Office that have not won a prize.—Mr E. Williamson's (Kyeburn) Chance, 24- points, 1; Mr Wm. Graham's (Kyeburn) Flisk, 22 points, _ 2; Mr Thos. Mann's (Kokonga) Toss, 21 points, 3. Fifteen entries.

HEADING, BRINGING BACK, HOLDING IN RING, AND YARDING. Open to all-comers. Maximum points, 38. —Mr D. Mathcson's (Shag Valley) Maid, 36 points, 1; Mr A. Mathcson's (Middlemarch) Laddie, 35 points, 2; Mr D. Mathcsoti s Moss, 29 points, 3. Sixteen entries. lIUNTAWAY, between three sets of flags. Open to all-comers. Dogs must put sheep through two sets of flags to qualify tor prize. Distance, 500 yards. Maximum points, 38.—Mr A. Mathcson's (Middlemarch) Roy, 37 points, 1; Mr D. Mathcson's (Shag Valley) Bob, 35 points, 2; Mr A. Mathcson's Clyde, 29 points, 3. Nineteen entries.

CONSOLATION, for all dogs not winning during trial. —Mr T. D. M'Lcod's Bonnie, 23 points, 1; Mr T. D. M'Lcod's Lady, 22 points, 2; Mr A. Henderson's (Kyeburn) Jack, 21 points, 3. Twelve entries.