KENNEL NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20104, 10 May 1935, Page 12

KENNEL NOTES

(By “Mastiff.”) ‘Mastiff” will be pleased to answei questions, which may be addressed C/o “The Timaru Herald,” relative to dogs. Intending exhibitors are given a Anal reminder that entries should now be in for the North Otago Kennel Club’s show at Oamaru. Entries should be sent to the secretary, Mr W. Atkinson, Thames Street, Oamaru. It is hoped that South Canterbury fanciers will make the trip and show their dogs and add to successes gained at the shows last year. Previous shows held by this club have been most enjoyable functions and everything is done for the comfort of exhibitors and their dogs by the executive. Mr R. W. Anderson, of Timaru. has recently acquired a promising bull-dog puppy from an Ashburton breeder. Mr P. P. Gilchrist sends the news of recent activities at his well known Glendare Kennels at Invercargill. The bull terrier bitch Gallant Lady of Glendare, imported from the famous Newman Kennels. Australia, has been disposed of to Mr M. Henderson, Invercargill. A Cairn terrier bitch Norfolk Mischief, bred in the North Island and brought down for an outcross has now left these kennels for the Grassmere Kennels owned by Mr A. G. Ford, Invercargill. A Glendare bitch puppy has also been obtained by this breeder. She is from Norfolk Mischief ex Glenspey Duncan (Aust.). The Glendare Cairns are in keen demand and a dog puppy has been acquired by Mr E. C. Tapley, Invercargill. The famous Scottish terrier dog ch. Fairways Sensation recently purchased by Mr F. E. Duncan, of Timaru, has now settled down in his new home. He is undoubtedly a grand specimen of the breed, and fanciers who have inspected him since his arrival are struck by his wonderful head and long punishing jaw. We shall now look forward to the results in the Stakes Classes at our coming show, feeling that there is a fair chance of keeping the honours locally. The West Highland White Terrier This attractive all white terrier has many admirers for it fills the bill where a small dog is wanted, being strong, active, exceedingly sharp, smart in appearance, and of a temperament that makes it a delightful companion. The breed is of undoubtedly ancient origin. It is probably closely related to the Cairn terrier, in which white and cream colours occasionally turned up and were deemed objectionable. For more than a century the Malcolms of Poltallock in Argyllshire, had bred these dogs, the foundation stock of which is believed to have been these discarded, light-coloured Cairns and by continually selecting white specimens, the strain was established. The breed was used by the Malcolms solely for work, and pluck and ability to reach their quarry were the only points considered. They were employed to rout out foxes, badgers, wild cats and others from their rocky abodes, small size and great activity combined with powerful jaws and teeth were a necessity. Although the White West Highland Terrier Club was founded in Scotland in 1904, it was not until 1907 tht the Kennel Club granted them classification as a separate breed. The present white West Highland terrier is a handsome, cobby little dog, and a fair degree of unity of type has been established. Up to the present this dog, unlike its relative the Scottish terrier, has been allowed to carry a natural coat. Probably as time goes on trimming will be introduced into the preparation of this breed and with disastrous results if the dog is to be recognised as a working terrier and not merely as an ornamental variety. It is a conviction that he ought to be shown with his natural coat, and not with a tail like a stick and landscape gardening on his body. The general appearance is that of a small, game, hardy looking terrier, possessed with no small amount of selfesteem, with a varminty appearance, strongly built, deep in chest, straight back, and powerful quarters on muscular legs. The coat should be about 21 inches long, white in colour, hard with plenty of soft undercoat and no tendency to wave or curl. The tail as straight as possible and carried not too gaily, and covered with hard hair, but not bushy. The skull not too broad. The ears should be as small and as sharp pointed as possible and carried tightly up, and must be erect. The eyes of moderate size, dark hazel in colour, widely placed, with sharp, bright, intelligent expression. The muzzle should not be too long, but powerful and gradually tapering towards the nose. The nose, roof of mouth, and pads of feet distinctly black in colour.