THE KERNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 39

THE KERNEL.

By Xkbbob. Prbol-stb and breeders ol dogg are oordifttty ln» rited to contribute to this column. "Terror" wlB endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this be mußt have the co-operation of bis bonce he trusts this invitation will be oaeeriuUy responded to. The Mossburn Dog Trial Club's next annual trials are to bo held on the 14th and 15th March. _ All profits are to be devoted to patriotic purposes. Mr A. Charters, Mossburn, acts as secretary. " —" Licenso " asks whether, if he has paid a half-crown' fee in the country, whore he is the owner of a crib, he reed register his dog again in town, where the license fee is considerably higher? I am given to understand that it is only necessary to pay one registration fee, but it must be taken out where the owner resides and has his place of business. Quite a number of dog-owners take advantage of their ownership of a country residence to pay where the lower fee is charged. Moral obligations towards the State or municipality don't seem r.o worry the conscience to the, same degree as they do towards the individual. Indeed, one seems to absolutely enjoy the saving of half-a-crown at the expense of the com munifcy. Every smoker knows how much nicer is a Smuggled cigar 'than is one that has paid duty. If rny information is correct, the procedure would not stand if the City Corporation proceeded against the owners of dogs registered where" the owner spends a week-end in a crib, even though ho pay 3 rates there. Rawden Lee quotes a Dr Ker in his book on the collie to show that it is possible for a seemingly purebred pup to be found in a litter of quite a distinct breed

to the rest of the pups and also to the parents. Ho says: "To my mind antiquity and concentration of purity of strain are fully shown in the fact that if there bo a strain of old English sheep dog blood (for instance) many generations back in any breed of dog, you may stake your life that a typical specimen will every now and again show itself in the litter produced by utterly dissimilar breeds, no matter whether it" bo a retriever, lurcher, spaniel, or cur of low degree. 1 have known it occur in many instances, and have owned first-class snoop dogs whoso parentage would make'one's hair stand on end witii amazement at the fearful incongruity of its concomitant parts. Apparently not one drop of sheep dog blood for generations, and yet thcxe is the unmistakable youngster—sometimes tailless, more often with a Sin stump—brought into the world jet black, with his characteristic white markings, and in a few weeks, chameleon-like, ho gradually assumes the silvery-lilac livery of his ancient British ancestors, and .makes his bow to the public as a pigeon-blue and white English sheen dog, ' breeder and pedigree unknown.' ' It may interest some ot my readers to know that in regard to "the foregoing the Mendelian theory, simply put, is that "in fertilisation the characters of both parents are not uniformly mixed, but remain separated in the offspring throughout its life, and some characteristics may bo handed on ' from generation to generation until a combination of sexual cells may cause their development in eome such unexpected manner." —By request I give the following standard description- and code of points, etc., laid down by the Skyo Terrier Club of Scotland. Head.—Long, with powerful jaws, and incisive teeth closing level, or upper just fitting over under. Skull wide at front of brow, narrowing between ears, and tapering graduallv towards muzzle, with little failing in between or behind the eyes. Eyes hazel, medium size, close set. Muzzle always black. Ears (prick or pendent).—When prick, not large, erect at outer edges, and slanting towards each other at inner, from peak to skull. When pendent, larger, hanging straight, lying flat and close at front. Body.- Pre-eminently' ®long and low. Shoulders broad, chest deep ; ribs well sprung and oval-shaped, giving flattish appearance to sides. Hindquarters and flank full and well developed. Back level and slightly declining from top of hip joint to shoulders. Neck long and gently crested. Tail.—When hanging, upper half perpendicular, under half thrown backwards in a curve. When raised, a prolongation of the incline of the back, and not rising higher nor curling up. Legs. —Short, straight, and muscular. No dew claws. Feet large and 'pointing forward.

Coat (double).—An under, short, close, soft, and woolly. An over, long (averaging s£in), hard, straight, flat, and free from crisp or curl. Hair on head shorter, softer, and veiling forehead and eyes; on ears, overhanging inside, falling down and mingling with side locks, not heavily, but surrounding the ear like a fringe, and allowing its shape to appear. Tail also gracefully feathered. Colour' (any variety).—Dark or light blue or grey, or fawn with black points. Shade of head and legs approximating that 'of body. STANDARD. , —1: Average Measure.— Dog.—Height at shoulder, 9in; length, back of skull to root of tail, 22Ain; length muzzle to back of skull, B£in; length root of tail to tip joint, 9in;—total length, 40in. Bitch.—Half an inch lower, and 2£in shorter than dog; all parts proportional; thus, body 21in, head Bin, and tail B£in ; total, 37£in. —2 : Average Weight.— Dog, I3!b; bitch, 161 b. No dog should bo over 201 b nor under 16lb; and no bitch should be over 181 b nor under 141 b. —3 : Points, with Value. — 1. Size (height, with length and proportions—lOin high 5,9 in high 10, Biin high 15) 15 2. Head (skull and eyes, 10; jaws and teeth, 5) ... _ ... ... 15 3. Ears (carriage, with shape, gize, and feather) 10 4. Bodv (back and neck, 10; chest and ribs, 5) 15 5. Tail (carriage and feather 10 6. Legs (straightness and shortness, 5; strength, 5) 10 7. Coat .(hardness, 10; lankness, 5; length, 5) ... _ 20 8. Colour and condition 5 Total 100 -: Judicial Awards.— 1. Over extreme weight to be handicapped 5 per lb of excess. 2. Over or under shot mouth to disqualify. a. Doctored ears or tail to disqualify. 4. No extra value for greater length of coat than s£in. 5. Not to be commended under a total of 60. Not to be highly commended under a total of 65. Not to be very highly commended under a total of 70. No specials to bo given under a total of 75.