KENNEL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 12

KENNEL NOTES

(By

“Setter”)

Pups bred and reared in the Osboine Kennel by Messrs Johnstone and Staunton are now taking part on the racing track. On Saturday at S Park three of them in the one race filled the places, only heads separating them. When maturity is reached by these beautifully bred whippets moie cups will be finding their way to the “Osborne” kennels. Mansfield of Terraded the young retriever owned by Professor J. J. Dob , of Mataura, is developing into a high class dog. His owner, though rea y setter man, is not averse to putting m time and work on other sporting dog . Mansfield has no serious rival in the south as a show type and should ms owner map out a show programme tor him many prizes are sure to come ms way. A great opportunity presents itselt for Profesor Dobbs to revive the brown curly retriever and place it in its nign place of bygone years. This young dog is not only very sound, nut combines all the necessary working attributes ot a gun dog. He is to be shot over on May 1, so the added experience should do him much good. , Many of the dogs seen out at the Southland Kennel Club field trials will have their first try out on grey ducks, and judging by their competition work they should give great pleasure to their owners. “Braeville Marcella” is now an inmate of Mr Rex O’Brien’s kennels. This labrador is a very keen water dog and her performance on ducks should be very creditable. Mr J- W. Colquhoun has gone to Nelson for a period having taken his two labradors, Judy and Rex, with him. His departure will be a loss to the Field Trial Club. He was a very keen follower of the sport and was always prominent in the competitions. Rex is a very promising young dog and Judy has a good record, although or late she has not kept up her good performance. She is naturally clever ana would do her best work if kept away from other dogs. She is really a one man dog.

Meeting at Balclutha The Balclutha Coursing Club has set down April 24 as the date for its postponed meeting. The Guest cup is to be competed for and a good stake goes with it. The event is for open dogs. A maiden tin hare event is to take place on the same afternoon and should create much interest. The plumpton is looking well at present. Some of the dogs may find a difference when running on this course, the soil being of a very sandy nature, and the foothold may not just be to their liking. Several Invercargill dogs will go forward to compete. Mr Sinclair, who judged the Oamaru meeting at Easter, will act similarly at Balclutha. Mr W. Blomfield, a keen coursing enthusiast, has taken in hand Mr J. Rattray’s fine young Ever Ready dog. This dog has shown extra speed and a good stake should soon come his way. He is not quite ready to show his best, but as he has been well reared it should not be long before he is in racing shape. Mr’ J. Smith has Golden Worry looking well just now, and this speedy dog will again trouble the best. Mr Dixon had bad luck with his two young pups Peter Pan and Vonalel. They were in training for the season’s events and doing good work, but unfortunately they collided with each other and have since been suffering a recovery which will, of necessity, be slow because of the seriousness of the crash. Vonalel has again been mated. The dog chosen on this occasion was Bold Brigand. The latter dog, has good blood in his veins and pups from the mating should be right up to standard. Vonalel is Australian bred and has much of the Micaber strain. She is particularly good looking and very racy. As a show specimen she is wonderfully good. Trimming of Terriers’ Coats Wire-haired Fox terriers are a problem if they are to be kept smart and tidy by carrying coats that will not make them look like unshorn sheep. No doubt if breeders had addressed themselves Seriously to the task they might, in the course of time, have produced terriers that would look presentable without being trimmed, but artificial preparation was so much easier. Some years ago the trimming of dogs, that is, show specimens, was prohibited by the kennel club, until the position became so illogical that the practice was legalized. The old hands who - know the game from beginning to end were able to pluck their dogs without being found out, and the amateur, who did the same thing more clumsily, was always liable to get into trouble. With the exception of one or two breeds that do not require it, most of the show wires are barbered, and look ever so much the better for it. Other breeds also receive a little attention, such as Cocker Spaniels and Pomeranians. Compare the exhibition Sealyhams, Airedales and other terriers with those one meets on the streets every day, and the difference will be apparent at once. Trimming allows the outline of the dog to be seen, and it also makes the head appear longer and the forelegs straighter. Some show dogs are stripped a few weeks before the date just long enough to let the hair grow the proper length, and the hair is levelled afterward as wanted. All this trouble is unnecessary for the house dog, which will look all the better, however, if his coat is shortened several times a year. One need not be so particular about him as if he were going to be exhibited, and a stripping comb will save trouble. Perhaps it would be wiser to have him done occasionally by a professional, as it then would be possible to see where he takes off most hair. A good deal wants to come off the neck and shoulders so that the lines of each are revealed, and that on the back will have to be shortened. Leave the underneath parts. The skull and cheeks will have to be tidied, but usually the eyebrows and whiskers will not want to be touched. The hind quarters will need to be levelled, and a good deal may be removed from the throat, the elbows, and the back of the ears. At certain seasons a lot of dead hair can be taken out with thumb and finger, always pulling in the direction of the lay of the coat and not against it. If you are careful you will not hurt the dog. When a dog has to be stripped the operation is made easier by first rubbing powdered whitening or chalk into the coat and then brushing most of it out. After the coat is once in order it can be kept so for a long time by a little plucking or combing. It is not advisable to do too much at a time. Always remember that your object is to show the dog’s outline, so watch carefully what you are doing. The coats of these dogs should be harsh and wiry. As washing makes them soft and fluffy the dry-cleaning process is to be recommended. By rubbing in the chalk thoroughly and then brushing ; you will be able to remove the dirt.