THE KENNEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8249, 23 February 1905, Page 1

THE KENNEL.

NOTES. (By SIBITJS.) Rigby Random, a fox terrier puppy, was sold in England not long ago for £150. 'xne first whippet racing in Australia took place not long ago at Fremantle, "West Australia. Most of the competitors were imported dogs, and one of them is credited with doing 100yds in 6£sec. The death is announced of the celebrated English fox terrier Go Bang. He had a remarkable career. He was bred by Mr G. W. Thomas, sold by him for £150 to Mr Kelley, who disposed of him for nearly £500 to Mr •oreorge Roper, the latter in turn selling him for a high figure to go to America. Go Bang was a noted winner, and he has left his mark- high up in fox terrier annals. A curious case was heard at the Marlborough County Court last December. It involved an interesting question as to the liability of an owner of a dog for damage done by its trespasses on tho land of another. It would appear that the defendant's dog found its way into a kennel where some bitches in season were kept. The consequence was that a valuable young greyhound bitch in duo time produced mongrel puppies. In giving judgment his Honor said that the action did not lie in negligence. If it did, he found »,nat the defendant had not been negligent, and that the plaintiff had been guilty of negligence himself in keeping the window of his bitches' kennel open, or in not covering it up with wire. The action, therefore, lay in trespass, or not at all. As regards this, there were very few actual decided cases i,n point ; but it did seem that from- very old times a dog was considered different from other animals, and tliat no action lay for its trespass. He did not think that this was confined to cases of trespass from the highway; the case ot ''Saunders v. Teape," as reported in "Law Times Reports" (51, L.T. Rep. 263), was against such a contention. He gave judgment for the defendant, with costs, but in case of an appeal assessed the damages to the bitch at £20, as no doubt her market value had greatly depreciated. During the next month or two particular attention should be given to the inmates of kennels. Shade, ventilation, food and exercise have all to be thought about and practically considered. Although so far this summer we have had exceptionally hot weather (writes " Wattlebark " in the "Australasian "), I think the months of February and March are the worst to bear. For the heat then is, perhaps, more continuous, and catches us at the time when vitality is most spent. It will, therefore, be necessary to give extra attention to the comfort of our dogs for ihe next few weeks if the autumn is not to come in and find them backward in condition, and thus be handicapped for the coming show season. The kennels should be effectively shaded, but not in such a way as to prevent a free circulation of air. And this ventilation requires to be properly arranged, so that the dogs may not be subjected to draughts and consequent illnesses. The orifices through which the air is given should be well above the dogs. The food should be light and" nourishing, fresh vegetables boiled with meat, and biscuits soaked in the liquor makes a good repast, and may be made tlie usual feed. If fed twice a day, the meal on each occasion "to be on the small side. When the food, as suggested, is not given twice each day, a meat biscuit or two may be substituted for the absent dish. About twice a week a littlo magnesia and flowers of sulphur may bo added to the food. In the way of exorcise much may be done without distressing the animals. The more active may have plenty of running both morning and evening, and both the active and non-active breeds may, where possiole and suitable, have as much swimming exercise as needful. The dogs will bo all-round better for a fair amount of work, if not given when the sun is making itself unpleasantly felt. Then as the coats of dogs are now being cast, it will be necessary to brush away the old hair. By this means the new coat will come evenly instead of remaining in a ragged condition for an unlimited time. With cue treatment of the coat the question of keeping it free from fleas arises. Every care with this end in view must be taken. Kennels should be frequently hosed out, and once a week be washed down with a solution of soap andy water, into which kerosene, carbolic oil or phenyle is mixed. Some dogs appear never to he free of fleas. If such dogs' coats are saturated, after being washed, with a fairly strong solution made from quassia chips, it will be found that the flea nuisance will cease for some time at least, and then washing and further saturation will be necessary. . , . , . . The fidelity of a dog to hu training is sometimes embarassmg (says the Southland "Times^'). A party of young people at Stewart Island were Jut rambling when a change , crf f weather necessitated a scurry for home. In doing so a lady tore her f.™*^ badl? that she abandoned it Somo time after an island dog laid the derail garment at the teet of the young man of the party, who scornfully threw it away. Towser, however was not to ™ turned aside from his teachings for after everything was . quiet, he weAt back, found that . ruined skirt 3 with head in the air, dragged it Some Tn triumph, to th. discomfiture of its owner. ■ .