THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 38

THE KENNEL.

By Tkrrob.

Fanciers and breeders of dogs are cordially incited to contribute to this column. "Terror" will endeavour to make this department as interesting End up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this he must have the co-operation of his readers, uence he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to. Show time is rapidly approaching, and, in view of the exceptional circumstance that an international judge of groat reputeis to adjudicate, and that dog's will be brought to his notice from all the leading kennels of the Dominion, this year's show will prove, if properly advertised, a great attraction not only to dog-owners, but to the public generally, for the desire to see "the best" is widespread. Outside of the fercy proper the canmo has many admirers some even focusing their interest on a particular breed. For instance, gun men, though they do not own a dog, may have decided preferences for certain types, and quite possibly, if permitted to award the prizes, would place the cards very differently from what Mr Crabtreo will do. It is to bo hoped that at .the ensuing show there will ba crowds of non-fancy sportsmen visitors, and that they will freely express, their views, for, whether they are conscious of the fact or not, they have an influence which is good for the fancy. Spaniels, retrievers, pointers, terriers, etc., would soon lose interest amongst fanciers if gunmen disdained to own tho puppies they breed which are unsuited for the show bench. Some years back tho fanciers' collie was the chief "attraction at the show; but shepherds would not regard them with approval, they rapidly lost favour-.; and so it will bo with other breeds having any pretence to utility. Of course, the show collie may regain favour as a purely fancy breed, kept for its beauty only; but, without any desire to slur or prejudice other breeds' in this category, I imagine that, should this be the case, it must be regarded a* a " come down "__for the show collie, and at the same time discreditable to tho fancy I Other visitors to the show will, of course, be attracted solely by love of the beautiful. These people will desire to see tho handsome quite regardless of whether it can "handsome do," and it will be well for this show from tho financial standpoint if "rumour hath it" that this desire can be satisfied. In South Australia, it is reported, Pomeranians are the leading fancy, and show time there brings forth so many good clogs that the judge is hard put to it to make" his awards. A long row of high-class Poms, should certainly be a great attraction to lovers of the beautiful; but I doubt whether our New Zealand fancy is quite up to making a grand display in this class. We have some really high-class Pekinese, and if Mr J. Playnes, of this city, can be persuaded to enter a team, he may be relied upon to present them in a fashion warranted to,call forth the admiration of all beholders. Pugs and bulldogs ought not, probably, to be classed together (as lam doing!); but they both appeal to the admirers of a similar type of beauty; and as this class (of admirers) is a very wide one, and the fancy in both tho breeds happons to be strong here, the club have only to advertise it well to ensure a good gate. Eczema is sometimes supposed to be hereditary, but I am not aware that there is any actual proof of that fact. It is certainly true that some breeds of dogs are more prone to it than others, and experience seems to show that it affects smoothcoated dogs to a greater extent than longcoated breeds. It is also- very prevalent amongst toy dogs—a fact which, in the opinion of some authorities (though the point is not universally held, and is undoubtedly a debatable one) is clue to inbreeding and to the various artificial measures necessary to keep toy dogs clown in size. Anyway, constant skin irritation is most likely due to eczema—or, as it is sometimes called, red-mange or red-rash; if it bo mange proper there will be pustules which come to a. head and discharge, —clearly indicating the presence of the sarcoptic parasite under the skin. Eczema, on the other hand, appears as a red rash, very irritating, of course, and showing itself usually on the most exposed parts of the body—-i.e., on the belly and inside tho legs, where there is least hair. It comes and goes in many casos with changes of weather and other external inlluencse. Eczema, too, is often to be regarded as a sign of the presence of worms, and its connection with them can readily bo explained. Worms interfere with the digestive process?, and cause impurities to accumulate in the blood, with tho very natural result that skin irritation ensues. It is always a safe rule, whenever a clog has any form of' skin trouble, to begin treatment by doctoring him for worms. It cannot possibly do any harm, and may do a greatdeal of good if only to the extent of giving the anjmal a good clearance out. When this has been done, if the result shows that it was necessary, such further dosing for worms should be administered from time to time as may be necessary; but if not., then all that is wanted is an occasional aperient dose to keep the system clear and to aid in obtaining the best results from the other internal remedies that are being administered, for bo it understood that internal as well as external treatment is necessary to cure a case of eczema with complete success.