THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 33

THE KENNEL.

■ By

Terror.

Fanciers and brsedera of dogs are Cordially invited to contribute to thia column. “Terror” will endeavour to wake this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this he must have the cooperation of his readers, hence ha trusts this invitation will ba cheerfully responded to Mr J. Hoare’s (Dunedin) Sydney Silky dog Rags has been visited by two very nice Sydney Silky bitches. In view of the interest now being taken in Sydney Silky terriers. I am pleased to reproduce in this week’s notes the standard for the breed. The fortieth annual show of the Wellington Kennel Club is to be held on October 3, 4, and 5. The New Zealand Kennel Club has allotted the following challenges for competition:—Fox terriers (wire and smooth), setters (English and Irish), retrievers, pointers, Alsatians, Harriers, Samoyedes, Irish terriers, Scottish terriers, pugs (fawn and black), Pomeranians, and Pekingese. A couple of New Zealand-bred dogs are in the prize list of the recently held Australian Ladies’ Kennel Club Championship Show—i.e., Mrs Cowie’s ch. Braeval Beau and Mr S. O. Wood’s wire fox terrier bitch Mangahao Electric Wire. Electric Wire was bred by Mr T. R. Boyes, Wellington. An observant onlooker at a recent English show commented on the fact that but few black-headed fox terriers had black chins. He urged that the white or grizzled underjaw was a slight disfigurement, and one to be avoided wherever possible. As he spoke (says a writer in Our Dogs) there entered the ring a young terrier with a coal-black muzzle extending right over his chin, and there remained no doubt that its presence enhanced the attractive appearance of the terrier, which looked “ two penn’orth more of a he dog.” Of course, as the standard says, “ this point is of little or no importance,” but every little helps. Alsatians.—Captain V. Stephanitz, writing to a German paper, issues a warning against letting Alsatians participate at dog racing. The breed is built for “ trotting,” not galloping. In galloping dogs develop speed on shorter distances, whereas in trotting it is the accelerated stride in order to overcome longer distances that is de rigeur. If we allow Alsatians, says Captain Stephanitz, to “ race,’’ there would be danger of Alsatianists beginning to breed, not for the good of the breed itself, but for the good of those who look for pleasure at greyhound racings. Prohibition of Alsatians.—lt is now reported that a regulation prohibiting the importation of Alsatians into Australia will be gazetted after it has passed the Federal Executive Council at an" early date. The Vice-president of the Council (Sir George Pearce) said recently that this was the result of a number of protests received by the Minister from pastoral associations throughout Australia. The matter was fully discussed by the council, and it had been decided to prohibit the introduction into Australia of these dogs. This may not be the final word on the subject, as representations are still being made by those interested to prevent the prohibition regulation being gazetted, and, anyway, in view of the large number of the breed already in Australia it seems very much like “ locking the stable ” too late. A Game ’Un.—An English judge, Mr Walter Glynn, in writing of an all-breeds show at Rotterdam, commends some new ideals in judging. He says: “Another innovation which I much liked, and think it quite a charming idea, is that in some of the breeds some special prizes were given to be awarded by the judge exactly as he likes and for whatever he thinks proper. This gives you a chance of giving one such special to a terrier who excels in some particular point, such as, say, coat, head, and expression, etc., or to a real good ope who, after perhaps much doubt, you have felt bound to put second, only just being beat for first. I had several of these specials to award in Airedales, and unhesitatingly gave one to a rare old type of dog, which, after sotne^walking about on the loose shingid which covered the ground in all the rings, from being quite sound gradually commenced to go lamer and lamer, and on my asking what was the matter with him his owner picked him up and found a needle had run right into the foot, which he removed without the game old beggar wincing in the slightest. He was what he looked, a game ’un, and deserved his special.” Size in Fox Terriers.—The Rev. Rosalyn Bruce, in his fox terrier notes in Our Dogs, after speaking of type, says: “Another rock which disturbs the surface of the smooth, sea is that of size, standard lays down clearly the desired weight, but leaves size as a more .open question. Like a periodic visitation comes from time to time an outcry that our terriers are too big. The Fox Terrier Club at some points of its history has been ‘ nobbled ’ to some extent by electing

to its committee members known chiefly by their devotion to littleness at all costs, and this fad has brought about a certain cleavage between the south (where the club has chiefly operated) and the north (where the phrase ‘ terrier ’■ is still frequently used in contradistinction to a ‘ toy ’). Like most faddists, the ‘ mouse-hound fanciers ’ went too far. and often let mere littleness weigh against overwhelming merit; but, again, like most faddists, their crusade did good in drawing attention to a point which instead of being the only one is one of many, and the great mass of breeders, whose judgment is not easily swayed, continued to breed good terriers, neither too large nor too small, recognising that both failings are equally regrettable. On the whole,, however, all faddists either are_ found out or find themselves out, and their protests are duly weighed and considered, with the result that more good terriers come nearer to the standard in each generation. With uncertainty passed and a solid phalanx of good judges agreed as to the merits both of type and of the desirable size, it seems that an era of true prosperity lies ahead of us, and we may look forward with confidence frtid pleasure to the future success of the smooth fox terrier, equipped alike for show, for work, and for friendship.” The Importance of Registration.— A writer in a Home paper in reference to this subject says: “The number of registrations of smooth fox terriers for the first half of 1928 is exactly 1260, making an average of 210 for each month. We must all keep our eyes on this figure and not let it decline. It is not a question of keeping ahead of Cairns, 'Sealyhams, and Scottish (some of which most of us either own or have owned and fully appreciate), nor of striving to overtake Airedales, cockers, or wires (the only sporting breeds -.which outnumber us in registration) , but rather of making sure that an official record is made of every terrier in our possession, which is a very small compliment to pay to the little fellow himself and a very trifling contribution to that portion of posterity which will undertake to preserve the records of smooth rox terriers in time to come. Register now all living terriers, and continue to keep the records up to date.’ ’

A New Dog z Law in England.—A Bill (Dogs Act Amendment) affecting dog owners and poultry keepers now awaits Royal assent. Although it passed through Parliament as an agreed measure, there was considerable negotiation behind the scenes, and the original Bill was subjected to considerable amendment. It will be possible for owners of poultry injured by dogs to claim compensation without having to show that the dog owner had prior knowledge of the vicious propensities of the dog. This protects the small poultrj’ farmers, who have increased greatly since demobilisation, and complained that they were losing money through the depredations of-dogs. So far. as human beings a l e c °iieerned, the ancient legal doctrine of scienter” will still prevail. From the dog-lovers point of view the Bill is an advance. Originally it was intended to prevent a private person'from taking possession of any stray dog unless he handed it to the police immediately. The National Canine Defence League opposed this, and Mr Harold Briggs . (M.P for Blackley), who had charge of the Bill, drew up an amendment by which any person taking possession of a stray dog, if he does not return it to its owner, must take ,it to the nearest police station, and if the finder decides to keep the dog, shall give him name and address, and a certificate will be issued to him, alloWing him to retain the dog, which must be kept for at least one month. The period of one month is intended to prevent dishonest persons from selling stray dogs almost immediately, which is alleged to be done at present. If the finder of the dog does not wish to keep it the police will take charge of it. The new law has attracted attention to the accommodation for dogs at police stations and the methods of destruction employed. Sir S°J!? e rt 9° wer > M.P. (chairman of the N.C.D.L.) has been informed by Sir W. Joynson Hicks that he is asking H.M. Inspectors of Constabulary to give special attention to the accommodation at police stations .for stray dogs and methods of destruction. SYDNEY SILKIE STANDARD. ' General Appearance (25 points).— Rather low set, compact, active, with straight silky hair. Head (20 points).—Moderate length, strong and of terrier character; teeth

level; nose black; eyes small, keen, and able hair on face objectionv points).—Small, • set high on skull; V shape, falling to front or pricked clean ears preferred. Neck (5 points) .—lnclined to be long and strong. Body (5 points).-—Rather long in proportion to height, well ribbed up; back straight, tail cocked. Legs (10 points).—Forelegs: Straight, well set under the body. Hind legs: thighs, hocks slightly bent. lik^ e li P o^) -—Well padded, cathke, black or dark toe nails preferable. . ° at , Points).—Must be of silky textuie length not less than 6in preferable, silvfj (15 Po ll •—Tan and blue or si yer blue and tan; tan markings on ® ?? d legs, the richer the better. 61b Maximum, 121 b; minimum, Defects—White toe nails, short coat. Disqualifications.-—-Flesh-coloured nose • ovo a ’? d ? voo,l - v eoat; mouth weight * ° r undershot ’ under or over-