THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3418, 19 September 1919, Page 46

THE KENNEL.

By Tekror. Fanciers and breeders of doss aro cordially invited to contribute to this column. "Terror" will endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do Hits he must have the co-operation of liia render*, hence he trusts this invitation will bo cheerfully responded to. The question of the formation of an Otago Kennel Olub h already being viewed I with mixed feelings. All that the proposed I new club asks from the Dunedin Fanciers' Club on separating is merely the surrendering of the dos plant. At first sight this appears to be a perfectly reasonable request, as although the dojj section is forming a club on their own, I understand that several of them intend to continue as members (subscribers) of the parent club. The new departure being, of course, with the desire to have control of their own affairs. Whether the feathered section cf the club will view the new club in a friendly spirit or not is a debatable question. In the first place the plant of the club is valued roughly at some £3OO, the dog portion of which fchould be worth in the neighbourhood of £SO. There is also a cash balance in hand, roughly some £23. This amount, however, I understand, the dogmen arc quite agreeab'e to leave with the parent body. In favour of the dog men severing their connection with the old club, it may be mentioned that the feathered section have for many years contended that the noise of the dogs barking in the show upset their birds, and it has been frequently stated that it would bo bettor if the dogs were apart from the feathered section. Then, again, seeing that there is the sum cf £35 odd subscribed by the dog fanciers for the purpose of bringing cut to New Zealand an English judge, and the parent club has entered into a contract with the said judge to make tho trip, Rome of the members may consider that the club would not be justified in making the severance on account of the liability entered into. This need not worry them in any way, however, as the executive of the new club will bo only too willing to indemnify the .Fanciers' Club against 'any responsibility provided that the amounts subscribed by the dog fanciers is handed over to them. In regard to the disposal of the plant, I might point out that although this is invested in trustees* on behalf of the parent body, the dog men in the past have been responsible for raising the funds invested in their portion, and "are therefore justly entitled to have their request granted, apart from the fact' that the dog benches are useless in the bird section of a show. Another argument for the proposed change is that the -usual date for holding the show is not suitable for the dogs, as- a summer month is always best for their _ condition. Takings all things into consideration, I must confess that it nppears to me as a sports-man-like suggestion that the feathered sec-tion-should at least meet their confreres of the kennel world in a friend'y spirit over this question. I am giving the prmltrymcn's point of view in the Poultry column. Bearing in mind the intimate relations which exist between the dog's food and exercise, given an animal with a sound constitution, you can make his "form" what you like. If too fat, increase his exericso ancl give him plenty of meat; if you want weight, and are not particular of what kind, you can got it by reversing the process.\ Tho time chosen for strong exercise is immaterial, except that the hot sun should be avoided as much as possible, arid under no circumstances should any bo given after the night feed beyond a short run immediately afterwards, which, by tho way, is advisab'e, as it saves considerable cleaning up in tho kennels. Authorities think that a good macadam road is the best ground for a dog to do his work on, keeping, as it does, the feet in condition and the toe-nails short; and certainly a dog exercised entirely on grass often loses points in the show-ring on this account. On his return from a prolonged outing, he should be carefully looked over and rubbed down, his feet, in particular, receiving special attention, a good plan under all circumstances being to bathe them in salt or alum in water. If the pads are 'cut, an application of Friar's balsam will do them as much good as anything, and it is hardly necessary to ment : or» that thorns or splinters must at ence bo extracted. * —Remember that dogs appreciate a varied menu.' Do not adhere, too religiously to dog biscuits. They are gooil, but voucan have too much of a froori thing. Puppies of big breeds need good substantial meals', comprising meat, in order to furnish the bone called for in their make-up. They must also be exercised daily on the road. Their fore legs must be straight as pillars, and cow-hocks,, or turning in of the hocks so frequentlv not r ced in St. Bernards that have been neglected, enn be obviated hy judicious exercise, and strengthening during puopvhood, the most important period in a dog's life. Owners of bulldog puppies must be to *ee their pets fat and strontr. Thev will "fill i!T)" at all points if carefully and well fed during the first nine months of life. —Tt will be remembered that some time ago the Kennel Club of Eno-larv] refused to recognise th« puliation of the Club of New South Y\ 7 aies with tb" Bulldog Club of England. Since then the matter Ins b~on reconsidered, with tho result that the Kennel Cbd> of England has received +ha following letter from tho Bulldog Cub (KtiffJ :—"Our delegates. Messrs Marshall and Pearson, having reported tho interview with votir committee, we note with r>l<\asure {•hot the »fFbV,iorj # of tho Bulldog Cl"b of New South W:dos is restored, and we think rour committee for the manner in which our defecates were treated." Two ofai"r aorilj.citions from Oomimon'"'<' , iHh ch'bs for affiliation w'th the Bulldog Ch'b of Errand •wore held over for some time, and tho TOnnel dib wa' asked to grant the for "flfili.nf.tnTi. The clubs were f.W British BuHdoo- Clnh of Viefovio, find tho West Australian Bulldos? Club. In both instances the requests have now been granted.