THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3475, 19 October 1920, Page 21

THE KENNEL.

Bt Terrcb,

Panders and breeders ol doga are 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 this be must hare '.the co-operation ol his readers, benoe he trusts this invitation will ba cheerfully Msponded to.

"Liver and White." —I have made inquiries, hut cannot learn, of any Springer spaniels in New Zealand. At a meeting on the Ist instant in Wellington of the Special Committee of the New Zealand Kennel Club, appointed to amend and make additions to the rules for consideration at the adjourned annual meeting to be held in November, there were present —Mr Paul Hunter (in the chair), Slessrs A. Morton, A. W. Blair, S. H. Rastall, and P. H. Smith. Resolutions from affiliated clubs and other suggestions were fully dealt with, and copies of the new draft rales are to be in the hands of all seofetaries of affiliated clubs within the course

of a few weeks for their consideration and approval. I understand that many minor alterations to rules were made, making their definition and scope clearer. The most important alterations and amendments are an increase in the number of the executive from four to five; and by the following new amendment the powers of the executive, are greatly increased:—"A resolution submitted by the secretary in writing to all members of the executive shall, if concurred in in writing by a majority of the executive as a valid resolution, shall take effect as a valid resolution accordingly." Under the old rules the president and secretary have dealt with all matters coming before the club when it has either been inadvisable or impossible to call a meeting of the executive to give their opinion or decision on such important matters. The executive will now be able to voice their approval or disapproval on any matter under the rules, and a majority either way will be entered in the minutes of the executive as a valid resolution of that body. It ij proposed that the financial year of the club shall terminate on March 31 instead of July 31; and, though the annual subscription of affiliated clubs (£2 2s) is to remain the same, provision is made for those clubs desiring to hold a championship show of an additional fee of £3 3s, this to come into force after 1922. With regard to the more speedy issue of challenge certificates, the following new rule was adopted: —"The secretary of each show shall notification in writing to the" secretary of the Kennel ■Club giving particulars of awards in all challenge classes, and certificates will forthwith be issued by the Kennel Club to all winners that are eligible under the Kennel Club rules." This does away with the exhibitor having to make application for these certificates, many of whom did not know the procedure to follow. Another new addition makes provision for a gold medal to be given to the breeders of champions, providing they comply with the provision in regard to registration in the Stud Book. • With regard to trophies, the following amendment was adopted:—"Conditions attaching to any trophy shall not be altered without the previous consent of donor and winners." Fees are to be raised as follow: Registrations, 2s 6d; transfer, 2* 6d; change of name, £1 Is; prefix or affix, 5s (with annual maintenance of 2s 6d); Stud Book, 10s; pedigree, 2s 6d each generation. The rule-referring to "blindness, or in some way. blind," etc., has been amended to read: "A dog which is totally blind or totally deaf, a castrated dog or speyed bitch, or one which has in any way been improperly tampered with, shall be disqualified from competition," etc. The English rule regarding trimming has been adopted. The question l still remains open whether all varieties of terriers should not come under this _ heading. A proposal to alter the definition of ,! novice" to mean "a dog that has not won a first prize up to time of closing of general entries'', puppy, maiden, brace, and team classes excepted," did not meet with favourable consideration. Definition of "junior" is for all dogs not exceeding 18 months on first day of show; "imported," for dogs bred outside Australasia; 'novice," a dog who has not won a first prize up to time for closing of general entries; "puppies," for all puppies under 12 months of first day of show, date of birth must be stated on entry form. A proposal to bar puppies under six months,from competition did not meet with approval. Names and addresses to go in all catalogues. —Another likely exhibit for the Christchurch Show is a very nice black Cooker spaniel dog puppy. It is pleasing to know that, notwithstanding recent business changes, this enterprising fancier can still find time to spare for his hobby. The secretary of the Canterbury Kennel Club reports having issued over 700 schedules for the coming championship show, and is still willing to supply fanciers who apply for a copy. The club, it appears, making its special prizes and trophies open to all-comers. This is a move in the right direction, and is certainly a great inducement to fanciers to compete. . Cropping and Docking.—Mr Will Hally, in an article in the Bazaar, Exchange, and Mart, says that Mr D. Millington is importing a classic brace of Dobermann Pinschers into England, which in fact are now in quarantine. The breed is a German creation of half a century old or thereabouts, and was originated by the well-known German philokuon, Herr Dobermann, after whom it is called. Mr Halley says that the Alsatian wolf dog and the Deutscher Rankhaariger Pinscher (which means German rough-haired terrier) are largely, if not wholly, responsibre for the Dobermann Pinscher, which is a black-and-tan smoothhairod terrier about the size of a small Airedale, buf? more racily built, and both oropped and docked. It is very popular and numerous in Germany, and was used largely as a war and police dog, in which it is a, keen rival to the Alsatian wolf dog. Its excessive mutilation would, of course be top revolting for the sentiment of English men and women, but with cropping prohibited in this country there will only be the minor improvement (?) of clocking to adopt in any home-bred D. Pinschers °His part ancestor, the Deutscher Rankhaariger Tinscher, we look upon as one of the grandest and most utilitarian breeds in Germany.