KENNEL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22450, 10 December 1934, Page 9

KENNEL NOTES

(By

“Setter.”)

(Queries for answer any Monday must be received by “Setter,” care the Times office, not later than the preceding Thursday.) Cairn Terriers. Mrs H. Simon, of the Lorraine Kennels, Christchurch, reports the sale of a promising cream Cairn Terrier dog puppy to Miss M. J. Turner, also of Christchurch. The pup was sired by the former Invercargill stud dog, Rosemoyne Rambler. Cocker Spaniels. Miss Anita Tapley, of Invercargill, recently procured a smart Cocker Spaniel bitch puppy from its breeder, Mr Denis Howarth. Deerhounds. It is understood that Mr C. Payne, of Tuatapere, is bringing into the Southland Kennel Club’s show a team of four Deerhounds. These will cause a good deal of interest to the public, especially to northern fanciers who may be present, as very few Deerhounds are benched in our New Zealand shows. Mr Payne has been breeding this breed for many years, and has not only succeeded in producing show stock, but also first-class working hounds. Probably ther 'are more Deerhounds bred in Southland than anywhere else in the country. Alsations.

Mr G. Dennis, of Wallacetown, intends benching an Alsatian puppy at the forthcoming show. The pup was bred in the Selkirk Kennels, and is considered a very promising youngster. Southland Kennel Club.

Latest advice regarding the work of the Southland Kennel Club is to hand. Mr Alex Kidd has been made show manager for next Wednesday and Thursday, the days of the first annual show of the club. Mr Kidd has had a lot of experience with shows, and he is certainly the man for the position. A social evening will be held on Wednesday for the visiting exhibitors, and on Thursday evening there will be a parade of all prize winners, and the presentation of cups and trophies. The members of the committee of the club have all worked hard in preparation for this show, and it is gratifying to see such a large number of entries sent in—over 100 dogs ‘will be benched. For dog lovers who intend to commence kennels of their own, the show offers a wonderful opportunity to decide just what breed appeals most. This has already been mentioned, for it is a most important point if a success is to be made of breeding. It is to be hoped that the Southland public will support the show this week, for it is many years since such a splendid number of pedigree dogs has been paraded in Invercargill; and unless the support is given there may not be a show next year. “Setter” wishes the Southland Kennel Club the best of luck with its show. The Irish Water Spaniel.

Recently “Setter” was asked if an Irish Water Spaniel could be procured in this country. In the South Island these are very few, but around Gisborne district in the North Island several sporting men breed them. For some reason the breed does not appear to be a popular one. "Setter” cannot understand this as the Irish Water Spaniel is a wonderful working dog, especially in water. He is easily trained to retrieve from any distance and out of a ground. As a companion it is hard to find his equal, for he is essentially a one-man dog. The following is the efficient standard of points for the breed: — Head: Skull and muzzle of good size; skull high in dome, good length, and fairly wide, showing large brain capacity, rruizzle long, strong, and somewhat square in appearance; face perfectly smooth.

Top-knot: Consists of long, loose curls, growing down into a well-de-fined peak between the eyes, and should not grow straight across in the form of a wig. Eyes: Comparatively small, dark brown and intelligent. Ears: Very long and lobe-shaped in the leather, set low, hanging quite close to the cheeks, and covered with long, twisted curls. Neck: Fairly long, strong, and arching (carrying the head well above the level of the back), and strongly set into the shoulders.

Body (including size and symmetry): Fair-sized, round, and barrel-shaped; so stout and compact-like as to convey in appearance “cobiness.” Nose: Large and well-developed, and of a dark liver colour. Shoulders: Very powerful, but not too straight or “cloddy.” Chest: Deep, but not too wide or round between the forelegs, though large in girth, with ribs well-sprung behind the shoulders. Back: Short, broad, level, and very powerful coupled to hindquarters. Ribs: Carried well back, and loins deep and wide. ■ Hindquarters: Very powerful, with long, well-bent stifles, and hocks set l° w - j Stern: Short and smooth, strong and thick at root (where it is covered for three or four inches with short curls) and, gradually tapering, ends in a fine point. It should not be long enough to reach the hock joint, and should be carried nearly level with the back in a straight line. Feet: Large, somewhat round and spreading, well clothed with hair, both over and between the toes, but free from any superfluous feather. . Forelegs: Well-boned and straight, with arms well let down, and carrying the forearm at elbow and knee in a straight line with point of shoulder. Coat: Composed of dense, tight, crisp ringlets, entirely free from woolliness; the forelegs covered with feather, which should be abundant all round, though shorter in front, so as only to give a rough appearance; below the hocks the hindlegs must be smooth in front, but feathered behind down to the feet. Colour: A very rich liver; white on chest objectionable. Height: Dogs, about 21 to 23 inches at shoulder; bitches, about 20 to 22 inches.

General: A smart upstanding, strongly built, but not leggy dog, combining great intelligence and endurance, with a bold and dashing eagerness of temperament, and a characteristic gait, distinctive of the breed, which is a different movement to that of any other variety of Spaniel.