VETERAN DOG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 92, 20 April 1939, Page 6

VETERAN DOG

SUCCESS IN TRIALS A VERSATILE ANIMAL HIGHLAND KING AT THE WAVERLEY MEETING Among the competitors at the Wa-verley-Waitotara dog trials on Tuesday was the veteran dog Highland King, owned by Mr. Frazer Smith, of Awakino and formerly of Wanganui. Highland King won the New Zealand championship for heading at the Paparangi trials last year. Highland King is just, an ordinary sheep dog but was trained to a high degree of efficiency by his master. He is now .11 years of age but still takes part in trials with considerable success and, although he was unplaced on Tuesday, he gave a splendid performance. With his stumpy tail and limp, because of an injured left hind le;f, Highland King is well known on every trial ground in New Zealand. He has won close on a hundred first prizes and his prize-money totals more than £6OO. In addition to this he has won a host of minor awards. When Highland King won the New Zealand championship for the long head last year it was expected that his career in trials would be ended and that he would go into retirement. However, he has still carried on in competition work but his place is being taken by his son, Highland King 11. This dog has had little experience in trials so far, but the indications are that he will eventually follow in the footsteps of his father. Highland King 11. gained second place in the short head at the Waverley-Waitotara trials and gave a splendid exhibition. Fond of Pigs Highland King is a versatile dog. He has won competitions for heading, yarding and pulling and even gained places as a huntaway dog. His versatility is not confined to trials for he is an expert pig hunter and, according to his master, is never happier than when on the scent of a good Captain Cooker. He is used by Mr. Frazer Smith as a farm dog and i» equally at home with sheep or cows and, to top his list of achievements, has a good repertoire of tricks. Mr. Frazer Smith, whin a resident of Wanganui, was well known for his ability to train animals. Rapidly gaining their confidence, he was soon able to teach them tricks which others would take months to accomplish. It was the suggestion of a Wanganui trial dog trainer which started Mr. Smith on the path to success in dog