THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 52

THE KENNEL.

By Terror.

Fanciers and breeders of dogs are cordially ft> riled to contribute to this column. "Terror" will endeavour to uiuke this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this he must have the co-operation of his loaders, hones lie trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to. I —Entries are now closed for the Duncdin FaKciers' Club's Show, to bo held on July 13 14, and 15. The dog section shows an increase of over 100 entries on last year; but at tlii time of -writing it is impossible >o say what the increase is in the number of dogs. Tire increase in the entries is accounted for to some extent by the additional classes, which the committee decided to add to this year's schedule, and make a total of elese on 400 entries, which must surely constitute a record for Duncdin. r lhe spaniel classes have drawn a splendid response, which is a decided compliment to the judge, Mr Conn. In the classes under the judging of ill* Cutts the strongest are Airedales, fox terriers, collies, and bulldogs, the latter breed being exceptionally well represented in the bitch section. I think that I am safe in saying that never before in Duncdin haa such a good, all-round lot of batches been catalogued, and the gratifying part of it is that they are mostly bred in the Dominion. In the dog classes in hulls there will be some exceptionally keen competition, as two locally-bred dogs will be competing against two imported ones for the championship, and the judge will be taxed somewhat in separating them. Airedales are easily the strongest lot ever catalogued in this city, and as they cmbrace some well-known northern winners, Mr Cutts's placing will be awaited with interest, as many of them have competed before under -a well-known local judge, and a different opinion is always acceptable. Fox terriers (smooth) are a strong lot, and embrace dogs from both north and south. The Kaikorai brand are well represented, and will take some beating. By the way, I hear there is a " rod in pickle " coming out, and its account is awaited with interest. Wirehaiieds are a very poor entry, this class apparently not being very popular down here.

1 was very pleased to see the response for the Ladies' Bracelet and ladies' class, each bringing out about a dozen entries; and hero is. a tip to the committee: Encourage the ladies to exhibit at shows, and it will find entries booming. Among old faces exhibiting this year wili be Messrs J. G. Adair and i\ Snow. Both those- fanciers have had a spell for a few years. The last year Mr Snow exhibited in Dunedin he had a good run with his own bred dog, Hukaroro King. This was in 1910, when he won first in New ssealandbred in a class of 11 entries, and third in open in a class of eight entries, being beaten in the latter by such dogs as champion Greenstone (imp.) and Glenledi Rector (imp.). Previous to 1910 Mr Snow was a leading exhibitor, but owing to a transfer to Auckland since that year we have not scon anything of him. Mr Adair's last appoararce in the show ring was in 1911, when ho secured a good win with his own bred dog Dick Bercsford. As both cf these exhibitors have splendidly-bred bitches in their possession, I expect to see them producing some hot stuff next year. Among the imported bulldogs being exhibited are Mr O. N. Crawford's Crumpsail Baronet, Mr C. A. Hutton's Emperor Napoleon, and Mr Gardham's Silver Lulu.

Wo will miss Siich well-known faces as Mr Hickinbottom's ch Amhurst Baron. Mr Cutfcs's Loclrlen Duchess, and British Beaming (the latter now being deceased), all of which wore exhibited last year; but the nhow ■will more than make up this year by an improvement- in the general type of exhibits, many of those exhibited last year being unsuitable for the show bench —in fact, this remark applies to most classes, although in cocker spaniels I am rather disappointed at not seeing the entries from three leading exhibitors in Christchurch, who might with advantage have seized the opportunity of the decision of a judge who has not gone over their dogs before.

A successful fancier should bo one who will tako adverse decisions in as good a spirit as favourable decisions, and I regret to state that in one case which has come under my notice a young fancier baa not sent in his entries. Is it because the last time he showed under Mr Conn, some 18 months ago, his dog did not secure a place in tho first two? I have no doubt, however, that 3-oung fanciers will learn in time by coming into contact with some of the more experienced fanciers, who tako their beatings in a sporting spirit. The Ashburton Show was a thorough success, and in a letter from the secretary he states that they are so pleased with tho results this year that they are going to offer extra inducements to fanciers who exhibit next year. I have been unable to get a report on the exhibits", but under stand that the bull bitches were considered above the average. I am not going to pass any remarks, upon the judging and placing, as in view of the near approach of the Dunedin fixture it will be hardly fair; but as the same bitches are competing in Dunedin. it will be interesting to see how they are placed by another judge, although at the same time it is only just to point out that there may be considerable improvement in condition in the meantime.