THE KENNEL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 10

THE KENNEL

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

BY “ THE TYKE.”

Pomeranian breeders will regret to hear of Mr J. 11. . Baldock’s bad luck in losing his good little Pomeranian dog, Lindum Prince of Gold. Prince of Gold was by Lindum Dainty Boy— Brookland Orange Girl, and was bred by his late owner. Mr G. Burns’s young wire fox terrier bitch Ensign Peggv, has been mated to Messrs G. and F. E. Biltcliff's Evesham Ensign. Mrs A. M. Middleton’s young bulldog bitch Franco Bonnie has been on a visit to Mr G. 11. Tomline’s good dog Smirk. Bonnie is by Franco Punch ex Franco Judytu, and was bred by Mrs E. E. H. Degranges, of Auckland. Mr Arthur Morten’s Scottish terrier bitch Stonyoroft Chloe has been on a visit to Messrs G. and F. E. Biltcliff’s Ch Wairiki Whusky-. A general meeting of the Christchurch Toy Dog and Cat Club was held last Wednesday, when it was decided to hold the annual show on May 28 and 29, at the Choral Hall. Mr W. A. Pratt, of Auckland, has purchased a very promising wire fox terrier dog puppy, by Evesham Ensign ex Ilam Peggy, from Messrs G. and F. E. Biltcliff. v Visitors to England are astonished at the status of dogs amongst all sections of the community". In the principal doggy journals (and there are a number) columns are given for announcements of matings, births and deaths—and in memoriam notices. Of course, charges are made for all these items of interest. The following is a specimen of an “in memoriam” notice appearing in “Our Dogs”:—

IN MEMORIAM POODLES.

In cherished memory of my blackcorded Poodle. Japan, who was my loving and faithful companion for 14$ years, dipd of hear£ failure December 22. 1916. Never forgotten by his fond mistress, (Miss) Nettie Levy. Fond thoughts remain. Sometimes dogs which have not been kept under clean and healthy conditions, or which have come into contact with affected animals, are attacked by offensive parasites. One of the best, simplest, and most economical remedies is quassia solution. This not only destroys lice, but other skin vermin, and also acts as a preventive. Quassia chips can be obtained from any chemist, and if purchased in lots of a few pounds can be procured at a moderate cost, and as long as they are kept dry will keep indefinitely' - . The preparation of the solution is very simple, it not even being necessary to use hot water, the active principle of the wood, a bitter alkaloid, coming out just as quickly in cold. Half-fill a receptacle with chips, and fill up with water. This solution will only keep for about twenty-four hours, fermentation setting in in about that period, and making it useless. Formalin or salicylic acid can be added as a preservative, but experience goes to show that best results are obtained from the fresh solution. The method of treatment is as follows:—First of all give the animal’s coat a good grooming with a stiff brush and a toothcomb, then with a sponge or soft rag thoroughly" dress the coat with the liquid, seeing that’ it gets well down to the skin, and then dry the dog with a towel. Repeat the process each day as long as it seems necessary. The drug is quite harmless, and is often prescribed a.s a tonic for the human.

Holiday Visitor (on a very" warm day, to his landlord, who is washing a collie) : “This, is fine weather now, Mr M'Farlane.” Landlord (a market gardener and dog fancier) : “Ay", for them that hasna tae work” (wipes the sweat from his brow). H.V.: “Your dog looks beautiful.” L.: “Tae them that disna hae the washin’ o’ him.” lI.V. (to change the subject) : “I am glad to hear your wife is better.” L.: “Ay", but ye dinna hae tae live wi’ ’er.”

OUR DOGS. (By REV ROSSLYN BRUCE.) My duty towards my dog is to love hiin as mvself, and to 'do unto him as I would that heaven should do to me; to feed him, that he be neither starved nor fat; to give him clean water, to exercise him, and to teach him to be a joy to all he meets, except robbers and rats and other vermin; to keep him from poaching and stealing, and his tongue from meaningless barking, growliing, and snarling: to keep his body in cleanliness, beauty" and health, that he may" labour to get his own living, and do his duty" in that position in life into which it has pleased me to place him. tiif/retriever. There are not many breeders interested in Retrievers in Australia, although there are some typical ones, both early and flat-coated, shown in Victoria, and some representataives of the latter class were imported last year. The English sportsman prefers his setters and pointers not to totich dead game, so, soone than call on them to retrieve, he takes another breed to the field with him, whose duty it is to bring in the wounded and dead of the day"’s bag. The Retriever is the dog most suitable for this purpose, and his usefulness is still more apparent when it comes to the present style of shooting; that is, walking up the game, the battue as it is called, and driving to the guns. The one-dog sportsman will find the Retriever an ideal field dog, although he is perhaps not as easily broken as a pointer or setter.

The origin of the Retriever has not been definitely established, but it is generally accepted that the Newfoundland and the Setter were both used to produce the breed, and it has been established for at least fifty" years. The points to be looked v for in a good Retriever are sagacity, stamina, scenting properties, tenderness of mouth and steadiness. In England the flat-coated dogs are preferred to the curlies, probably because it is easier to keep the coat in order, but there is something about a good curly retriever that appeals—he looks a neater, more workmanlike animal. The standard for the curly"-coated is given as follows:—Head: Long and narrow for the length, 10 points. Ears: Rather small, set on low, lying close to the head, and covered with short curls, 5 points. Jaws: Long and strong, free from lippiness, with good, sound teeth, 5 points. Nose: Wide, open nostrils, moist and black, 5 points. Eyes: Dark, cannot be too dark, rather large, showing great intelligence and splendid temper; a full pug ey"e an objection, 5 points. Coat: Should be one mass of short, crisp curls from the occiput to the point of the tail; a saddleback of uncurdled hair behind shoulders and white patch on chest should be penalised; but few white hairs allowed on an otherwise good dog. Colour: Black or liver, 15 points. Neck: Long, graceful, but muscular and well placed; free from throatiness, such as a bloodhound, 5 points. Shoulders: Very deep, muscular, and obliquely placed, 5 points. Chest: Not too wide, but decidedly deep, 5 points. Body: Rather short, muscular and well ribbed up, 5 points. Forelegs straight, with plenty" of bone, not too long, set well under the body, 5 points. Feet: Round and compact, with toes well arched. 5 points. Loins: Powerful, deep and firm to the grasp, 10 points. Tail: Should be carried pretty" straight and covered with short curls, tapering toward tip, 5 points General, appearance: A strong, smart dog, moderately low on leg, active, live ly, beaming with intelligence and expression, 10 points.