THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 56

THE KENNEL.

By

TERROR.

Fanciars and breeders of dogs ore cordially lnvtUd to contribute to thia column. ’‘Terror*’ will endeavour to make this department aa intereating aad up-to-date aa possible, but in order to do thia ha must bare the co-operation o' Li* readers, hence he trusta thia invitation will be cheerfully responded to. Mr Thomas (Dunedin) has disposed of a very nice Irish terrier dog pup, and as it has passed into capable hands it may be heard of by and by. Mr F, Rogen (Melbourne) lias already brc l from some of the cockers he purchased in New Zealand when he was over here at the time the opening of our Exhibition. Mr 11. Ottely has disposed of several of his kennel inmate (cockers) aud I hear that he is making i> complete clearance. It is to be hoped that this fancier is not going to be lost to the fancy, but is merely intending to take on with unother breed. I learn with regret that several local dogs have "gone west” owing to distemper in Dunedin and neighbourhood. The Duchess of Newcastle has b*en having a run of bad luck in her world-famous "Of Notts” Kennel. Her Grace has just lost one of the best bitches she ever bred, and which is saying a great deal, in a

daughter of ch. Crack ley Sensational and eh. Cockeye of Notts, of which the Duchess had foiuied the greatest hopes. Then her grand young dog Chemical of Notts lamed himself just before going into the ring at the National Terrier Show, and paid the penalty by defeat, which caused him to have to be "scratched” at Cruft’s. Happily the dog is now better, but not yet fit enough for show. According to the February issue of the English Kennel Gazette. 574 Alsatians were registered at the Kennel Club during January last. Only 46 points separthem from the wire fox terriers, which thus still C'jcupy the first place among the K.C. registrations. Foxhounds are not cheap pets. It is ■ not unusual for good hounds to fetch as much as £4OO each. Examination lor Judges.—The Rev Rosslyn Bruce, contributor of "Fox Terrier Facts” in Oar Dogs (England), writes: " ‘ Cannot there be an examination for judges?’ writes a very responsible correspondent. Alas, not an effective one for almost anyone could get 100 per cent, on paper; but it might be possible at such a show’ as the Fox Terrier Club’s to have a judging competition, on the lines familiar to ‘fanciers' (as they call themselves. arrogating the old-time nomenclature of the prize ring!) of such ‘small deer ’ as rabbits and cage birds. Two classes of 15 dogs and lo bitches would first he placed by two or three acknowledged authorities in private, and then competing aspirants would be selected to attempt the readjustment of the same animals. Onlookers might be interested in some of the ‘ bloomers/ and it would be an educative, even if humbling, affair to the budding judges!” Dog Curfew'.—There is to be a curfew for dogs at Birmingham. The Watch Committee decided on February 3 to apply for an order decreeing that dogs shall be kept under control from an hour after sunset until an hour before sunrise. The chief constable said that Hocks ot sheep on the borders of the city were being ravaged by marauding dogs. Sealyham Type.-—A correspondent o; Our Dogs, on being interrogated at a show as to what was the right type for a Sealyham by r. man who said that he had been watching the judges and could not make out what they were looking for. "Why can’t we have one type and stick to that type. Can you tell me?” The answer was: "How can you blame a judgj for the different types of dogs exhibited? Most fanciers know’ the type of dog they liii_, and are doi g their level best to breed to that type; but you should know that breeding dogs to a certain type is not a question that can K e arranged beforehand; hence the many disappointments which crop up. Further, if breeders could produce to order precisely the dog they wanted, the interest and fascination which now' so enchant and even bewitch fanciers would disappear, and the breeding of dogs ' Id b me t matter of routine, dull and uninteresting.” A dog quickly takes on the leading traits of his master’s character. He is the most impressionable of creatures, and responds quickly to any treatment. Treat him like a dog. and he will act like one. Treat him like a human being, ! he will quickly develop human traits. Keep him under close restraint, and t!ie brute in him will be uppermost. Allow him reasonable liberty and discipline, sensibly and justly, and the human in him will appear The human eye has wonderful influence on the lower creation, and where a dog’s conduct is under surveillance he is sure to be sensible of the attention. This sensibility may be made to serve as a strong deterrent against wrong-doing. Rectitude should thus become a habit, and in course of time the dog will be found worthy of being trusted even when out of sight or in strange places. As regards colour in fox terriers, the Standard says: “White should predominate, otherwise colour is of little or no importance. The "conditioning” and preparation of a dog for a show is not an eleventh hour undertaking. One of the first steps in training a dog h to teach him his name, and to use this one alw’ays, especially at feeding time. )o not try to teach a pi.pny more than two or three things in one daw or he will get conin'.-d. and in the end will have learned nothing. Such matters as obedience and proper behaviour in the house should receive careful attention, and, when it is certain the dog understands what he has to do, a close watch should be kept to see that the orders are carried out. Disobedience should be followed at once by a suitable punishment, so that the dog may associate the penalty w r ith his wrongdoing. A whip is not wanted, for a we’l-trained dog requires no more chastisement than a sharp word from his master. The colour of cocker spaniels has no bearing on their merit, conforming very much to the old adage as applied to a good horse which it is said cannot be a bad colour. The deep red colour in an Irish setter is the most desirable: but a pale red in an otherwise good dog many onlv count a little against him. The colour often becomes deeper wijft age.

SHEEP DOC TRIALB.

Kauana —May 4 and 5. Hakalaramea.— May 5. Waitttki—’May 5. Wanaka —May 12, 13, and 14. Kyeburn.—May 13 and 14. STRATH-TAIERI COLLIE CLUB. The annual trials of the above club were held on April 22 and 23 on Roberts’s Estate, the property of Mr A. M*Kinnon, to whom the thanks of the club are due for the use of both his property and as many sheep as were required. The trials were carried through very expeditiously by a good working committee, headed by the president (Mr A. M’Kinnon). The judge was Mr A. Stewart, of Dunedin, whose awards met with unanimous approval. The following are the results:— Class I—Open Huntaway: K. O’Connell”s Nell, 41 points, 1; W. J. Reid’s Roy, and R. J. Thompson’s Moss, 39 points each, 2 and 3; D. MTtae’s Bob, 38 points, 4. Class ll—Driving and Yarding: W. F. Ross’s Top, 28 points, 1; C. M'Erlane’s Star, 25 points, 2; C. Patterson’s Nell, 24 points, 3. Class lll—Maiden Heading: E. J. Docherty’s Queen, 35 points, 1; R. J.

Ihompsous Smart, and C. Patterson's Nell, 33 points each, 2 and 3; D. Hefferlian’s Vic, 25 points, 4. Class IV—Open Heading: E. J. Docherty’s Pip, 38 points, 1; C. M'Erlane’s Star, 34 points, 2; R. .1. Thompson’s Smart, and C. Patterson’s Nell, 33 points each, 3. Class V—Ladies’ Heading Event: Mrs Docherty’s Pip, 25 points, 1; Miss N. Ross's Nell, 22 points, 2; Miss R. Ross’s Pat, 15 points, 3. The following specials w r ere also awarded:—Mr M'Kinuon’s £1 Is —D. Heffernan. Mr A. Matheson’s £1 Is —E. J. Docherty. Mr R. Conn’s Challenge Cup to winner of Class I—K. O’Connell. Ladies’ Challenge Cup—Mrs E. J. Docherty. Cup presented by Middlemarch tradesmen to local man gaining most points throughout trials—A Matheson, jun., 155 points.