KENNEL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 25313, 17 June 1935, Page 4

KENNEL NOTES

(By “Setter.”) (Queries for answer on any Monday, must be received by "Setter, care the Tinies Office, not later than the preceding Thursday.)

To “Cocker Owner".—The pedigree you give is quite a good one. What you say about the “Of Ware” brood is quite right. It is recognized that H. S. Loyd is one of the leading authorities in England and his book on the Cocker spaniel is a most dependable one. To “Pomeranian.”—The eye trouble is quite common and not of a serious nature. Bathe frequently with Boracic acid. , For your dog’s coat a good wash can be made by the use of Lux. Grated camphor in the water is also beneficial as it is very soothing to the skin. The local fanciers were well represented at tlie Dunedin show. Mrs Stewart, secretary of the Southland Kennel Club, accompanied by her husband, left by car on Thursday. Mr George Dennis, the enthusiastic collie fancier, also made the trip by car taking his fine bitch Donna of Silkirk with him.

Mrs Stewart reluctantly had to leave her Irish setter Rita at home She was entered for the show, but she has now proved to be in whelp it would have been taking a risk railing her to Dunedin. Rita is a bad traveller at any time.

Mr Saville, of Timaru, has every reason to be pleased with his litter of pups three dogs and two bitches, by his imported dog Deganwy Rex (imp.) from Ophir Queen of Sheba. The Old English collies are also progressing in these kennels. Opihi Lady Susan has a litter of five pups by Opihi Prince Rupert. The latter dog was shown at Invercargill in December last and made a favourable impression. The Old English sheep dog is very useful especially in clear country where his heavy coat does not meet with obstruction. As a cattle dog he works well and is a most useful all round farm dog. The Old English sheep dog’s origin is shrouded in obscurity. He was in bygone days very useful in guarding the flocks from attack by wolves and other wild animals. His home is in England, but in France, Northern India and also Russia a similar type of dog is found, though in most cases is larger in size. He is a very intelligent animal, and has a sagacity rarely excelled in other breeds. His head is well developed and has plenty of room for brain power; neck of nice strength and length; body shapely, set on good sound legs and feet. His hind end is higher than at the shoulder and being built thus he acquires a roll action similiar to that of the bear. He is regarded as a tailless dbg, but occasion arises for him to be dockeo as times pups are born with long tails. His coat is very heavy ..nd is a great weather resister. In colour the blue with white blaze, collar and points make an attractive appearance. Colour is not a vital matter black and white also grizzle are permitted. The principal defects in the breed are undersize, snipy forefall, cow-hocks, and soft coat. To sum up, the genera] appearance should be: a strong, compact looking dog of great symmetry, absolutely free from “legginess” or weazleness, profusely coated all over, very elastic in its gallop, but in walking or trotting he has a characteristic ambling action. His bark should be loud.

The Coursing Club was again out of favour with the weather on the day of its last coursing meeting held on Saturday week. Everything was in perfect order for a good day’s sport, but the climatic conditions made things quite miserable at times. Under the guiding hand of the president, Mr T. Marshall, the meeting was run very smoothly and both he and his keen band of workers deserve some praise The hares were not so active from the boxes as was expected, the cold making it more difficult for them to get under way. Nevertheless there were very good and exciting runs and it was quite a common thing for a round of cheering to be heard from the outside grandstand which has found great favour as the best point from which to view the sport. Tommy C again proved himself a very speedy dog. Some of his earlier courses were rather easy, but he did all that could be expected of him. In the final he met Mr Smith’s very promising dog Golden Worry and beat him decisively. From the step Tommy C absolutely tore intodiis work and made every post a winner. This is the second time he has proved the best dog on the Southland plumpton, having won at' the first meeting.

Bold Brigand was once again disappointing. It was a short course and' this did not enable him to show to the best advantage. White Wilga who met him was headed-, to the hare, but she got in and took charge long enough to win. Capital was not seen in his best light, though many thought he was lucky in beating Pandora. Niggerhead and Invader proved the longest course of the day. The hare, after racing down half-way to the escapes, was turned by Invader and came right back among the officials. Here he had a torrid time, both dogs working well. With the hare having his scope greatly decreased it was only a matter of time until he found his escape impossible. Niggerhead is working very well and if his speed were up to the same standard he would not be long off the winning list. Invader improves all the time. Next year he should come into his own. Mr Miller produced a good sort of a bitch by Wild Laddie from Rose Lupin. She ran a trifle green, but later on she may prove her worth. Mrs Marshall was not forgetful of the officials who bore the brunt of the storm and provided them with afternoon tea which was very welcome. Farmers are beginning to realize that their dogs require physicing occasionally. There is a more regular sale for worm mixtures than ever before. Every pup bom suffers from .this inward menace, and the sooner he is freed from it the oetter are his chances of building up a sound constitution. It is pleasing to know that Miss L. Greig will again be an exhibitor at the local show next month. She proposes to journey south with a team of six Mr C. E. Bloomfield has landed his Airedale bitch pup from Australia. I am assured that the new arrival to Invercargill is a good sample of the breed. She is about eight months old and possesses a good colour, being rich in fan. The black on the back is of a good dark shade. I feel sure that this breed will require very little boosting to again become very popular.