KENNEL NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19942, 29 October 1934, Page 13

KENNEL NOTES

(By “Mastiff.”) “Mastiff” will be pleased to answer questions, which may be addressed C/o “The Timaru Herald,” relative to dogs. The Otago Kennel Club’s first annual challenge show, held last week, was an outstanding success and great credit is due to the members of the committee for the perfect organisation. It was one of the best managed shows I have yet attended and the benching and

general accommodation provided for the dogs was excellent. The general standard of the dogs exhibited was high, there being 191 dogs benched and there were few breeds which were not represented. Dogs exhibited by members of the South Canterbury Kennel Club had a notable string of successes and annexed most of the chief honours. The outstanding dog was Miss A. M. Kerr’s Old English Sheep dog, Opihi Rupert, which was awarded the prize for the best dog or bitch in the show. This dog also won the cup for the best non-sporting dog- and the Guange silver butter dish for the best lady owner’s exhibit.

Miss Leila Greig’s ch. Flash of Arnaverne was awarded Spratt’s Challenge Cup for the best bitch in show, best non-sporting bitch and best Alsatian bitch in show. The Conn Cup for the best bitch puppy under 12 months was awarded to Mr F. E. Duncan’s Scottish terrier, Glenshee Jill. Mr F. G. Saville’s Sealyham dog Deganwy Rex (imp.) won the Terrier Stakes. In the classes, Miss E. H. Cole’s Australian terriers won in bitch puppy under 12 months, Ainit and open bitches and brace classes. Mr F. E. Duncan’s Glenshee Jill won the Anit and open bitch classes and best Scottish terrier bitch. Mr J. Macdonald’s West Highland white dog, Angus of Westmere was best puppy under 12 months and won the limit and open classes.

The handsome Grey Alsatian bitch Flash of Arnaverne (Aust.) belonging to Miss Leila Greig is now entitled to the prefix champion. Flash is a fine specimen of the breed and a worthy champion. The twenty-ninth annual show of the Canterbury Kennel Club is to be held on the A. and P. Society’s grounds, Addington in November. Judged by the list of cups, trophies, and special prizes in cash the show should be a great success. The judge selected is Mr H. Hinchcliff, of Wellington, who will judge all breeds. The popular breeds are usually at this show represented by the cream of the dogs of the North and South Islands.

A Different Angle In many cases breeders’ dogs have a rotten time because the breeder has taken up the hobby without givingserious thought to details. The dogs are still fat, as the result of the same treatment as one would give to chickens intended for the table, no exercise and stuffing. Before taking up dogs it would be well to answer this small list of questions. Firstly is my property in a suitable locality? What breed do I really care for? If the owner has a real regard for the breed adopted, it,

will go with a swing. Will my better half look on the dogs with favour or otherwise? If otherwise forget them. Can I spare the money to build suitable housing and runs, and most important the time to look after them? Am I prepared to keep the inmates clean, also the kennels and runs, and spare the time each day, to give the dogs real exercise,- not just a run in the yard? and if a lounge breed, do I realise how much exercise they really need? If I take up gun dogs, can I give them their proper work? Will

Ibe firm in the following? Buy only good stock to start out; keep only at most one bitch pup from each litter; let the weeds die at once, and destroy pups that definitely show irregularity of type, and not sell them for a few shillings to my own detriment. Am I prepared to spend money on books that I may understand the breed I adopt? Do I realise that such diseases as distemper may cause a good deal of loss and expense. Am I prepared to show

my dogs, and complacently accept defeat till I know as much as the other fellow? Would it not be better if I tried the game out thoroughly with one dog before rushing in and breeding? Will I study the diseases likely to crop up, or must - go to the vet each time my dogs howl? Were all these questions answered before taking up breeding, dogs would have a better time. Dirt and disease are largely due to dogs being in un-

suitable hands, and those who go into the game without first counting the cost only cause a lot of suffering to their unfortunate dogs and then give it up in disgust. They are of no use to the game whatever and it were much better that they never started. But if the prospective breeder can answer these questions, he will be the right sort to carry on the hobbj' of dog breeding.