THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3864, 3 April 1928, Page 32

THE KENNEL.

Bj

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, but in order to do this he must have the coopsration of Iris readers, hence ha trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to.

The scourge of influenza, which recently caused such havoc among dogs in Hawke’s Bay, and which died out as suddenly as it appeared (says the Daily Telegraph), has not apparently been entirely repressed, for one well-known Central Hawke’s Bay farmer recently lost a complete team of valuable trial dogs with the complaint in the course of two days. As a test for dog stamina, endurance, and fitness there is no event of such importance in the dog world as the animal racing classic, the Eastern International Dog-sled Derby, which was run at Quebec, Canada, recently. A distance of 120 miles had to be covered at a rate of 40 miles a day. Some of the fastest dogeled teams in Nortff America were entered. but details have not.been received so far. The prize for the winner is lOOOdol and the right to hold for a year the gold cup donated by the Eastern International Dog-sled Derby Club. South Africa is taking 100 greyhounds from Australia. They have been purchased in the various States, and the average price is said to £lO per head. Mr Len. Fowler, of New South Wales, has been instrumental in securing these dogs, and, with three other men, he will supervise their transport to South Africa. The dogs will compete in the tin hare courses. An 111-tempered Dog.—A ease is reported of a spanial bitch which suddenly changed from being quite good-tempered to quite the reverse. The children, instead of being able to maul her as of yore, became afraid to play with her. She resented being handled by anyone, and no wonder, for it was eventually found out that a dew-claw had begun to grow into her flesh, causing pain, and particularly when being handled. The claw was cut away, and in two or three- days she was as good-tempered as ever. The moral is: When a dog changes in disposition there is generally a cause, and it should be looked for and treated. The Dachshund or German badger dog is regaining the popularity which it enjoyed before the war. We do not use it in sport, as in Germany, but as a very engaging companion of quaint character and convenient size. Its very long body, deep chest, and short, crooked legs give it something of the appearance of a weasel, a shape which helps it in its legitimate work of burrowing. He .is an excellent house dog, cleanly in his habits, obedient, affectionate, dignified, sensitive to rebuke, and amusingly jealous. -It is in his favour that he is especially fond of children, is a very vigilant watch, and combines within himself the best qualities of a sportsman and the desirable characteristics of a household pet. There is a long-haired variety of the Dachschund. but the kind kept most frequently in this country is smooth, velvet coated, and in colour black and tan, whole red, or chocolate brown. The points to be looked for are a straight, long back, a deep but not too narrowchest, a longish neck, and a well-poised head, cone shaped, with wide, flat, drooping ears, oval eyes obliquely-set, and a level jaw. The forelegs are very short and thick, slightly bowed, and with large but compact feet. There should be no sign of weakness in the hindquarters.— Robert Leighton. The Chow-chow. —The Chinese chowchow has been bred to a high degree of perfection, and is very attractive in the show- ring, as well as being desirable as a companion, a very capable watch, and a playful and gentle associate with children. Outwardly the chow has many claims to good looks in his beautiful fur coat and ruff, his plume tail turned over liis haunches, his strong straight legs, and neat cat-like feet. His head is characteristic, with, small, pointed ears, broad muzzle, and scowling expression. His chief peculiarity is in his mouth. The gums, palate, and tongue are not red, but blue-black—“such a colour as might result from a diet of billberries.” Dark red is the orthodox colour of the chow’s coat, but whole black sometimes occurs,'and a much-favoured colour is fawn with lighter creamy shadings about the neck, miff, the tail plume, and behind the legs. They are busy-minded dogs, not mischievous, but generally wise and obedient, entirely devoted to the family in ■which they live. They are hardy, too, and easily managed. As a rule they go on improving from puppyhood to old a»e I consider (says Robert Leighton) the chow-chow peculiarly suitable for life in a town. He is an artist in negotiating busy traffic in the streets, and if he should chance to get separated from his mistress during an afternoon’s shopping the probabilities ain favour of the chow being the L. .. to reach home.

A DOGS’ CEMETERY. A dogs’ cemetery, dating back to the eighteenth century, is to be found in the grounds of Dunham-Massey Hall, the Cheshire seat of the Earl of Stamford. There are 12 graves, and each stone bears the name of a dog and the date the animal died. "The little grey granite

stones, moss-grown and chipped out. in a good state of preservation, bear testimony to man’s love for his dumb friend. One stone bears the inscription: Poor Lion died November 2, 1856. Now poor Lion is dead and gone, Once by Joseph thought much of, .And the servants one and all Do regret poor Lion’s fall. The oldest stone in the cemetery reads: Here lies Pugg, -Also old Virtue, Who dyed Feb. 17, 1702. Also old Towzer, 15th July. 1754, aged 14. One of the memorials is to “ Poor Turpin,” who died on July 17, 1783. The name, suggests an English authority, was possibly inspired by the famous highwayman Dick Turpin, who, it is stated, robbed a lawyer in New Bridge Hollow before performing his famous ride in record time to Hoo Green Bowling Green, and showing himself to the Cheshire squires, thus _ proving an alibi, and securing hia acquittal at the Chester Assizes. TREATING DOGS FOR WORMS. Much harm is done by improper dosing: Indeed worming is such a fetish with some breeders that they actually kill the dog in their endeavours to free it from worms, thus making the remedy worse than the disease. There is a far too prevalent idea or custom among breeders of giving potent drugs of which they do not understand the actions _ and uses, and this often leads to serious trouble, and sometimes causes death. Before giving a worm dose the dog should be properly prepared—i.e., given a laxative diet for a day or two, and then sufficiently fasted so that all food is expelled. After the dose is given the dog must be carefully watched for results and any worms or parasites passed picked up and burned or otherwise destroyed. — The Tape Worm.— In the ease of tape worms it is particularly important to keep the dog under observation, because, however, loii" an expelled tapeworm may be, if the 'head is not also expelled, it simply grows again It is a mistake, however, if the hrst dose is not successful, to again give a second dose on the following day. A week at least should always elapse before the second dose is given. -SHEEP DOC NOTES. TRIAL DATES. Geraldine.—April 12 and 13. Albany.—April 18 and 19. Wai mate—April 26 and 27. Waitaki—May 2. Wanaka—May 9, 10, and 11 Tarras—May 14 and 15. Gore—May 29 and 30. Kyeburn— May 21 and 22. ~ Ross, honorary secretary of the Waitaki Collie Dog Club, has forwarded me the schedule for the fortvthird annual trials to be held by the chib at Hakataramea on May 2. There are four events with first prizes of £2 in each case. ’’The Kyeburn District Dog Trials Chib’s programme for its thirteenth annual trials notines the public and competitors that this year’s events are to take place on May 21 and 22 at Kyeburn, and that a w - be beld in tlle evening. Mr T • AVilson is honorary secretary. ihe Wanaka Collie Dog Club is, it will be noted, advertising its ninth annual trials, -to take place at Pembroke. The schedule includes all the usual events and announces sports and a dance on the first night. MACKENZIE TRIALS. The Mackenzie trials, held at Burke’s Pass on’ March 21 and 22, proved most successful. The weather was good. The judging was entrusted to Mr J. M'Rae,

jtm., of Waihao Downs, and the sheep proved excellent. The president (Mr W. MTntosh), assisted by willing helpers, left no stone unturned to make the whole business run smoothly. There was a record attendance at the annual ball, which proved most enjoyable. Mr Stevenson provided excellent music. Glass A ~ tong Pull. Maximum points, 40—-R. Davis’s Brandy, 38 points, a’ a Taro Jack, 37 points, 2; A’ H- übr o e Z 8 ¥ oss ’ 36 Points, 3; J. Smellie’s Nellie, 35 points, 4. Class ll—Open Huntaway—C. A. Parker s Moss, 36 points, 1; George Keefes Glen, 3o points, 2; R. Inness’s Lloyd, 34 points, A. Aubrey’s Tweed, 33 points, 4. Class lll.—Open Yarding—George Keefes Tin, jun., 35 points, 1; C A Parker s Belle, 33 points. 2: R. B. Smvth’s sTpoints 4 P ° lntS ’ 3; R - DaTis ’ 8 Brantly ’ p C —PuH, Hold, and Huntaway— R. B. Smiths Rock, 31 points, 1; George Keefes Don, 29 points, 2; M. A. Fraser’s unch, 27 points, 3; W. B. Hope’s Dodger, 2a points, 4. ° 3 PATEAROA DOG TRIALS. The Patearoa Collie Clnb held its fifth annual trials on the Patearoa Domain recently. The large attendance of the public was very gratifying to the officials or the club, to whom the success of the meeting was undoubtedly due. Mr C. M’Erlane (president) and Mr E. Carr (secretary), assisted by a hard-working committee, got the various events off with a minimum of delay. Mr D. J. Matheson (Shag Valley) was judge, and his decisions gave unanimous satisfaction. Large entries for the different events combined with beautiful Central Otago sunshine on each day, a. sured the club of a successful meeting financially. The sheep lent by Mr George Wardell, of Patearoa, proved entirely satisfactory, and were the subject of favourable comment by the judge and competitors. A smoke concert was held in the hall on the evening of the first day’s trials, and was a complete success. On the evening of the second day's trials a dance was held in the hall, and dancing was indulged in until the early days. Results: Class I, —Maiden and open, heading, bringing back, and yarding. Thirty-one entries.—Maiden: C. M’Erlane’s Speed, 36 points, 1 ; C. Dougherty’s Ted, 32 points, 2; F. M’Gregor’s Mick, 31 points, 3; A. Pearson’s Floss, 30 points 4. Open: C. M’Erlane’s Speed, 36 points, 1: J. Anderson’s Hemp, 35 points, 2; J. Purdue’s Sweep, 34 points, 3; J. M’Donald’s Mack, 33 points, 4. Class II. —Open heading, bring back, hold in ring for one minute, and yard’ Twenty-two entries.—J. Anderson’s Tobv, 38 points, 1; J. Purdue’s Sweep, 37 points, 2; J. Anderson’s Risp, 36 points, 3; J. Donald’s Mack, 35 points, 4. Class lll.—Maiden and Open Huntaway and slew between three sets of flags. Twenty-three entries.—Maiden: K O’Connell’s Rogue, 38 points, 1 ; E. Carrs Don, 37 points, 2; J. Rawcliffe’s Toby, 36 points, 3: S. O’Neill’s Toss 25 points, 4. Open. F. M'Gregor’s Glen 42 points, 1; C. M'Erlane’s Romp, ”41 points, 2 ; -F. M‘Gregor’s Ned, 40 points, 3; K. O'Connenll’s Nell, 39 points, 4. Class IV.—Open huntaway and slew between three sets of flags. Fourteen entnes.—C. M’Erlane’s Romp, 42 points, lfte s T °bv, 41 points, 2; K O Connells Nell, 37 points, 3; F M’Gregor’s Ned, 36 points 4- F M’Gregor s Glen, 35 points, 5. * * Class V —Maniototo Farmers’ Perpetual Cup.—Special handy event, hunt and head and hold in ring.—E. Carr’s Don i. A i bert Miller . s H^e 2 The following special prizes were awarded.-—J. P Herlihy’s Cup, for best mustering team of one header and two huntaways: Frank M'Gregor, (Kyeburn). Kanfurlv Tradesmen s Cup, to dogs gaining most points in classes I and II: John Purdue (Nightcaps). Club Cup, for dog gaining most points at ' meeting: K O Connell (Macrae’s Flat). O.R. Cambridge s Medal, to best maiden huntaway run by a local competitor: E. Carr (Patearoa). Mr John Anderson’s 2gns, ~to maiden competitor, gaining most’ points with one dog in open heading events: Charles Dougherty (Gimmerburn). Mr John Anderson’s Ign, to maiden competitor gaining most points with one dog in open huntaway events: E Carr (Patea roa). Reddell’s, Ltd., trophy: D. M‘Ra e (Sutton). One guinea, fastest return in Class HI after completing course: J. A. Rawcliffe (Kokonga). One guinea, for fastest return in Class IV after completma Course:, E. Carr (Patearoa). J. and J. Arthur’s. trophy, competitor largest family: J. Donald and J. Roberts (equal).