THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 43

THE KENNEL.

Bx Terror.

Fancleo-B and breeders of dogs are cordially lnrited to contribute to this column. "Terror" will endeavour to make this department ns interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this be must have the co-operation of his readers, hence he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to.

Ae I suggested last Wok tho hoped-for advent of Mr Sam. Crabtrco to judge Dunedin's next show —seems too good to bo true—will assure a bumper entry. I learn that interest in the club's enterprise is spreading throughout the Dom'.nion, arid that oven some of the old-time fanciers are inclined to renew their acquaintance with the doggio world, if only to try their luck under a man of world-wide fame. As a caso in point, I learn that Mr Ben Ellis, who recently disposed of his whole kennel of terriers, is already arranging to import something in the way of a topnotchor, with the hope of adding to his laurels under Mr Crablreo. Of course, it must be understood that Mr Crabtrco will bo required to judge all breeds.

I may add that the secretary (Mr Hutton) of the local Bulldog- Club advises mo that as the result of pending notices to the various Australian papers of Mr Crabtree's proposed visit to New Zealand on a judging tour, tho secretary of the Queensland Bulldog Club has written for information regarding terms, and states that they would probably require Mr Crabtree to judge at two shows in Brisbane' —viz., the bulldog show, and tho show of all breeds. The Brisbane Courier gave quite a lonjr paragraph on the projjosed visit, and it is anticipated that now the ball has been set rolling, inquiries will come from other States. —Mr L. S. G-'bson, of Cocker spaniel interest, has had a very bad spell latelv, bninsr laid up with a bad throat. His fancier friends will sympathise with him. The following advice, tendered by Arkwricht to all and sundry who essay tho judging of a pointer in the show rinsr. applies equally well to the judging of all breeds:— Do nnt look too long at tho bad dogs—they will spoil your eye. Do not needlessly keep a full ring—it will muddle your brain. Tf you do nor like n dojr. pick two definite faults in him—and "out" him. If a dog nuzzles you. take h : m (and his man) nnnivir's: and if he still puzzles you. take his chain in your own hand.

Till you ''«•" fried his paces, pronounce no dog a "flyer." Remember that the tail, though it, affects not his quarterings, is the pointer's family tree; hut fchn is the no : nt n r himself.

cultivating the mat while the dogs are yet anito young—threo to four months old. The coat should bo combed and brushed at. least twice a from this age up. A eomb should he used since a stool comb is apt to break the skin or tour the hair. The coat in both breeds should be combed and brushed the "wrong way of the wool." as the saying crocs, that is. from back to "front. Ef-pec'ally is it neenssarv that this process of grooming should be strietlv attended to when the flops are ohanging their coats. Bv this moans the oM coat is removed, and a health stimulus given to the new. Tf neglected, the old cant will become matter! with the new. in addit'oTi to much loss of t.ho now coat, extricating if. with the old. Occasional washing does no harm. but. frequent washino- has th" t°nd<mey to soften the hair follicle and Induce thf> hair to fall out. T>mH, in his "Ft«ld Snorts" in the oin-btoonth century. g : vcs a description of the terrier of his day, and the work oxnooWl of fhom. He apparently write--with knowledge, and says:—"There are two sorts of terriers, the one rough, shortlegged, long-backod. very strong, and most commonly of a black and yellowish colour. mixed with white. TMio other is smoothhaired, and beaut : fullv formed, having a shorter body, and more snr'cditly aT!P oaranco. is n-onorally of a roddi '--brown colour, or black with tanned logs. Both tbese sorts are tho determined foe of all 100 vermin kind, and in their encounters with the badrr,.r very f'-"ouon-fIv moot with severe treatment, which they sustain with creat courage: and a thoroughbred, well trained terrier often proves morn than a match for hU ooponont. Tn IPW Sydenham Edwards (Ovnogiraphia Brittannica) writes of terriers, and from amongst tho varieties he mentions the present-dav fox terrier seems to arise. Edwards describes as follows:—"The mo«t distinct varieties are tho crooked-logged and the straisrht-legged: their colours generally black, with tanned and muzzles, n spot of the same colour over each eye; though thev are sometimes rod fallow, or whiet and pied. Tho white kind have boon in request of late years. The ears are short. some erect, some pendulous: these and part of the tail are usually cut nfF; some rough and some smooth-haired. Many sportsmen prefer the wire-haired, sunnosiner thorn to be the harder biters, but thii is not always the case." Tn the following t.ho same author gives us those qualities wh'ch T have previously «ot out as being inherent in and inseparable from true terriers—namely "character." Edwards writes :—"Tho terrier is querulous, fretful, and iraseihlo, highnniritod and alert when brought into action : ; f be has not unsubdued perseverance like the bulldog, be has rapidity of attack, managed with art and sustained with spirit: it. Is not, what, ho will bear, but what be will inflict. TTis notion )jrotects himself. and h's bite carr'cs death to bis opponents: he daehos into the bole of the fox. drives him from his recesses, or tears him to nieces in Ids stronghold : and be forces the reluctant- badger into light. As bis courage !? great. w> is his genius extensive; he will trace with the fox hounds, hunt with the beagle, find for the greyhound, or boat

with the spaniel. Of wild cats, martens, polccates, "weasels, and rafa, he is the vigilant and determined enemy; ho drives the otter from the rocky clefts on the banks of rivers, nor declines the combat in a new element."