FANCIERS' COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 45

FANCIERS' COLUMN.

The Otago Witness has been appointed the official organ for the publication of announcements of the Dunedin Fanciers' Club.

THE KENNEL.

By Terror.

Fanciers and breeders of dogs are cordially invited to contribute to this column. "Terror" will endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as -possible, hut in order to do this he must hare the co-operation of his readers, hence he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to. I have been requested to find a home for a crossbred dog (bull terrier-dingo) 15 months old. I am told the dog is buffsable in colour, close-haired, docile, and in good health. The present owner regrets that he is compelled to part with the dog, and is willing to make a gift of it to anyone likely to treat it kindly. There has been a great deal published recently anent the numerous perfections of the dog generally, and Home papers frequently announce particular cases, of canine intelligence and devotion. As to their endurance and speed the following paragraph is now going the rounds of the press: —"Eskimo dogs can travel 45 miles La five hours, according to an authority, who relates that he once drove his dog team seven miles in half an hour. Ordinary domestio dogs at full speed run at the rate of from 35ft to 49ft a second; setters and pointers cover about 18£ to 21 7-10 miles an hour, and they can maintain this speed for two, or even three, hours. Foxhounds are very iast, and (says an English writer) in a recent trial one of them beat a thoroughbred horse, covering four miles in six and a-half minutes. Greyhounds can run at the rate of 59ft to 75ft a second. Horses cannot exceed 63ft a second." The following particulars are given in an Australian exchange regarding the Victorian silky terrier. —General appearance: Bather low sot. compact, active, with good straight silky hair. Head of moderate length, strong, and of terrier character: teeth level, nose black, eyes small _ and keen and of a dark colour (long hair on head and face objectionable). Ears small, set high on skull; V-shape, falling to front or pricked; clean ears preferred. Neck medium length. Body rather moderate in proportion to height,; well ribbed up, back straight, well set under, the body. Hindlegs, strong thighs, hocks slightly bent. Feet well padded, cat-like; back or dark toenails preferable. Coat must be of silky texture; length not less than 6in desirable. Colour, blue and tan, or silver blue and tan; tan markings on muzzle and legs, the richer the better. Weight: Two classes—under 61b. and 61b, and under 121 b. Defects : White ■ toenails, short coat, wavy. Disqualifications: Flesh-.colour nose curly or woolly coat, mouth much overshot or undershot, over-weight. 'Scale of points: Coat, 20; colour, 15; head 15; mouth 10; body and general appearance 15; toenails 5; legs and feet, 10; ears, 5 ; eyes 5; —total, 100. —ln drawing attention to an interesting and. amusing article in the Contemporary Review on " How Dog-stealers Work'" a correspondent says that a phase of tho " profession " which existed some years ago, and may exist still, is overlooked. In a London square there lived a, collie of considerable value, both intrinsically and sentimentally, to its owner. This dog was often stolen, and as often returned for reward, On one ocasion the man who restored the dog asked of the owner "Why don't yer subscribe for him, guv'nor?" Inquiring what was meant, the owner was assured that if he paid a guinea a year the dog would not be stolen, and that the man, who was talking to him, would collect tho first year's subscription then and there. The owner thought it a sporting chance and took the offer. For several years he kept up the subscription, which was called for regularly, and the dog was never stolen. One day he was stolen, but brought back the next in beautiful order, with profuse apologies and explanations that the thief Who took him did not know .the dog was subscribed for.—The Field. Stockholm Monday.—A French officer recently arrived from Russia with a party of refugees stated in the course of an interview _ at Stockholm that the condition of Russian prisoners of War arriving from Germany is pitiable. They are almost naked, he says, and starving. He reports the food conditions in Moscow now are worse than in Petrograd. Great numbers of horses are dying of starvation in the streets, and the inhabitants are carving pieces out of. the carcases, and are also eating dogs' food. Prices are enormous. One kilo of black flour costs about 30 roubles. Hens position is strong. Trotsky is a good organiser. The peasants are passive, and not exported to offer serious opposition to Bolshevism unless attacked.' Personal safety has now been attained, the French officer states, and it must be recognised that the present Government has established order. A number of French and British hostages are still kept in prison, but they are tolerably well fed and looked after by representatives of neutral countries or members of the Red Cross commissions. SHEEP DOC NOTES. By Terror. The Christ-church sheep dog trials are notified for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 22, 23, and 24, on Port Hills. (Cashmere). The excellent programme usually arranged by the club managing this fixture is_ provided for, and # in tho prizelist I notice a new trophy—i.e.. one designated the Montrose Challenge Trophy. Tho hon. socretarv is Mr E. Hardcastle, Box 1000. Christchurch. NORTH AUCKLAND SHEEP DOG TRIALS. The eighth annual meeting of the North Auckland Sheep Dog Trials Club was held at Kamo on Thursday and Friday Inst, and the publio attended in very large numbers,

showing an increasing interest in this instructive branch of competition. The awards were as follow: daw I, Driving and Yarding Competition (including White Cup).—J. M. Butler's Storm, 46 points, 1 j M. J. Whitolaw's Moss, 37 points, 2j M. J. Whitelaw'i Kep, 53 Sointe, 3t W. o'Shea's Rock, 31 points, 4} k H. White's Brook, 29 points, 5. Twentyseven dogs competed. Class 11, Head, Pull, Drive, and Yard (including Person Cup; present holder, O. Childs'a Don).—J. Evans's Flash, 39 points, 1; G. H. Milnes's Skyer, 34£ points, 2; J. Evans's Duohess, 32i points, and MButler'a Ring, 32i points, tied, 3. Twentyfive dogs competed. Class 11, Head, Pull, and Hold to Ring £icluding Chase Cup; present holder, J. . Butler's Ring).—J. Evans's Duchess, 48 points, 1; J. W. Butler's Storm, 374 points, 2; J. Evans's Flash, 34 points, 3; G. H. White's Don, 31 points, 4; G. H. Milnes's Skyer, 29 points, 5. Twenty-five dogs competed. Class IV, Huntaway (including Mr Butler's trophy for dogs scoring most points).—A. Finlayson's Chip, 37 points, 1; J. W. Sutler's Roy, 27 points, 2; G. Childs's Toby,'2s points, 3; G. H. White's Toby, 22 points, 4. Thirteen dogs competed.