KENNEL NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19986, 19 December 1934, Page 12

KENNEL NOTES

(By “Mastiff.") “Mastiff” will be pleased to answer questions, which may be addressed C/o “The Timaru Herald,” relative to dogs. A splendid litter of eight English setters, one bitch and seven dogs, was whelped last week in the Beechwood kennels, owned by Mrs R. Y. White, Styx. The puppies are sired by Mrs White's Ch. Rapanui Ranger ex Semaphore Jolly Countess, who was made best English setter at the recent Canterbury Kennel Club’s Show. Puppies from the last litter of the same mating were exceptionally good setters, including Banshee of Beechwood. winner of the Junior Puppy Stakes at the Oamaru Show and the winner of numerous prizes at the local show. Mr F. G. Saville. of the Opihi kennel at Fairlie. has at the present time four healthy litters of Sealyham puppies. The litter whelped by Ch. Witch of Hiner (imp.) and Deganwy Rex is a month old, and will be retained in the kennels for breeding and show purposes. Opihi 80-Peep is nursing a fine litter of three dogs and Opihi Bliss has two dogs and two bitches, both litters being sired by Deganwy Rex (imp.) Deganwy Dorcas, a litter sister to Rex has whelped a litter of three dogs and a bitch to Opihi Prince of Kasala. All these puppies are already bespoken, which points to the increasing popularity of the Sealyham terrier. An interesting importation that will give a boost to Sealyhams in New Zealand is that of a beautiful Sealyham bitch which arrived last week to the order of Mr Owen Wilson, of St. Helier’s. Auckland. She was mated before leaving England to Captain Lucas’s famous dog Ch. Edwalton Chum and is now nursing a healthy litter of seven, five dogs and two bitches. This new blood will be a decided asset to the breed in New Zealand. Messrs Austin Bros., ‘of Dunedin, have purchased from Mrs F. Wall of Martinborough. the imported wire fox terrier bitch Florate Fine Art. She is to be mated to Mrs Wall’s latest imported dog, Bowes Bindle, who since coming to New Zealand has several times been best dog in show. With Ch. Kidlet of Bisto, already in the kennel, these partners are establishing a very fine kennel of Wires. Summer Care of Dogs. ' Most dog owners think of their pets and give them opportunities to keep in the shade and provide them with cool, clean drinking water during the hot weather, but few give them all the attention they need. A dog’s diet should be carefully watched during hot weather, because of the danger of over-heating the blood and causing skin complaints. If a dog is accustomed to receive a ration of meat the quantity of the ration should be reduced during the summer. Where a dog cannot get green grass, chopped green vegetables should be included several times a week which can be given with broken dog biscuit or brown bread to which a little gravy or soup has been added. Dogs are more prone to disease of the skin in the summer than in the winter, and the addition of vegetables to the diet tends to promote bowel regularity and to keep the blood pure. It is a good idea, too, to mix a teaspoonful of flowers of sulphur in the dog’s meal once a week. Meat should be always fresh—dogs are not naturally scavengers but are often forced by hunger to eat things that are unwholesome. In the summer insect parasites are particularly active. There are several good insecticides on the market but a mixture of flowers of sulphur and boracic powder in equal quantities shaken well into the coat will keep a dog free from fleas. In addition, care should be taken in seeing that bedding should be changed much more frequently in the summer.

Long haired breeds of dogs especially suffer acutely from the heat and should be kept well groomed and trimmed. Loose hairs cause skin irritation and a tangled, matted coat is hot and uncomfortable. The use of a comb and brush—brush mostly—has a cleansing and refreshing effect. Swimming to a dog is not only good exercise, but is a healthy source of enjoyment. As often as possible take your dog for a swim if he is a suitable dog for the water—but never if he is overheated. Exercise should not be given during the heat of the day, but in the early morning or evening. Generally speaking, what is good for the master is good for the dog.