THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3280, 24 January 1917, Page 51

THE KENNEL.

By Terror. Fanciers and of dogs arc cordially hx rited to contribute to this column. 'Terror' 1 will endeavour to make this department an interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this he mußt have the co-operation of his reader*, hence he trusts thin invitation will be cheerfully responded to. I had the pleasure last week, in company with Mr C. A. Hutton, secretary of the Bulldog Club, of an interview with Mr W. Donald M'Crea, president of the British Terrier Club of Australia. Mr M'Crea is a travelled man, an enthusiastic fancier, and apparently an all-round sport. He has been through the Arctic regions, and can talk entertainingly of ice floo experiences, etc. Scottish terriers appear .to be Mr -M'Crea's special favourites in the fancy, and he was pleased to show me some excellent photos, one in particular being of his champion dog, Kirribilli Chief, lie expressed surprise on learning that in ihis Scotch province of Otago Scotch terriers were not in strong evidence. Air M'Crea, in the course of several visits to England, has come into personal contact with many of the leading fanciers, judges, and canine authorities generally, and it was quite a pleasure to listen to his reminiscences, descriptions of men well known to us by name only, and regarding the attitude towards standard requirements, emphasising as a fact that in the southern counties quite a different type was in some coses —notably in bulldogs—favoured to what was aimed at in the Midlands. Asked as to the condition of the fancy in Australia, Mr M'Crea expressed the opinion that, whilst it_ was on the wane in Victoria, it was lively in New South Wales, and noticeably progressing in South Australia. He thought there was a better class of fancier to be met with, and the jobber less evident, in Victoria than in New South Wales. In this connection he said that he had enjoyed himself very much at the recent Auckland show, where he had met many good fellows and ardent fanciers, lie would always remember his visit to the Auckland show with great pleasure. He has personal knowledge of Mr Sam Crabtree, our prospective judge, and spoke very highly of his ability as an all-round judge. He added that the idea in Australia seemed to be that it was Mr Luke Crabtrcc, and not his brother Sam, who was coining out. Of course we lost no time in disabusing his mind ' in that respect. The fact was made clear when we explained that we were importing an all-round judge, for Mr M'Crea quite understands that Mr Luke Crabtree is known as a bulldog man only, whilst his brother is an international allround judge of repute. I fancy our visitor has pretty definitely decided to send over a team of his Scottish terriers to our July show. Some interesting information with respect to French police dogs is given in Our Dogs (Eng.). Lady Helen Conyngham of Ireland, has been breeding this useful dog for several years, and has purchased specimens of the variety from several Continental breeders, among them being Leda of Slanc. These dogs are taught (1) to lead properlv; (2) to use tne nose; 3 to "speak" when told; (4) to Bit: (5) to sit and remain where placed until called or signalled to, and to " drop on the hand being raised; (6) to he down with the head resting on front paws; (7) to retrieve; (8) to carry an object for any given distance; (9) to go back and pick up an object dropped some hundred yarns behind- "(10) to take messages from one police Nation to another; (11) to guard an object; (12) to refuse to take food from a stranger for fear of poison; (13) to track a person lor miles by scent; (14) on finding toe person to guard him without biting until the master arrives; (15) to jump and climb any height; and. in short, to do anything and everything imaginable. Leda ot Slane (says th« 'journal quoted) has many accomp ishmonts outside her more or less police duties. She is an adept at fetching logs and putting them on the fire and she will onlv accept food from the right hand even though the hands are crossed. Lady Helen Conyngham has established a very strong kennel of police dogs in Ireland, and sne intends to breed them on an extensive scale next year. A Snake Story.—The Adelaide Observer publishes the following account of a strange contest between a dog.and a snake:— A few mornings ago I was a witness to a combat between my little half-bred cocker spaniel and a large snake # that is worth relating—at least, I think it is. First let me tell you that snakes arc very plentiful in this neighbourhood tins season, and previous to the case in question my dog had, through his exceptional smelling powers, tracked down five, four of which I battered to death On Saturday last, when walking across the paddock, the dog, by Ins movements made it clear that he was again on the trail of a snake, but on this occasion I did not possess any weapon with which to do the killing. However, I followed, and sure enough the dog had overtaken Ins snakeship, a big brown one, quite sft long. For fully 15 minutes the little mongrel kept the snake at bay by barking and snapping; but the slippery one was as quick a« lightning, and made manv attempts to strike its adversary. With about 2ft of its body raised from the ground, its head and neck flattened out in a most remarkable manner, and eyes flashing, the snake looked wicked indeed, and, not being able to render any assistance, I fully expected .'t would tret one in on the dor at an? minute;' but the latter altered his tactics. He kept up the barking, but began circling round the snake, when, as quick as thought, he sprang at it and caught it by the back of its neck. The great sinewy creature tried again and again to coil the hi iter part of its body round the dog, but Nigger never relaxed his grip, and. shaking" it as a fox terrier would a" rat. the game little fellow gained a well-earned victory, and now there is one snake less." Mr Clarke Hutchinson, of Waihi. relates a remarkable experience in regard to a small pup which ho placed some value on. Whilst sucking its mother, it was rolled on, and badly crushed. It had every appearance of being dead, and after making a careful examination, Mr Hutchinson buried the remains in the garden. The next day he was digging near the spot, and, unmindful of the exact locality, he unearthed the supposed deceased puppy in a spadeful of earth To his great amazement, the animal shook itself clear. Mr Hutchinson picked

it up, brushed it clean, and put it down, when it ran off to its mother! Notwithstanding the fact that it was buried for 56 hours, and had received what apparently looked like a fatal wound, the wonderful canine made a. complete recoverey.