KENNEL NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20488, 5 March 1932, Page 8

KENNEL NOTES.

[By Caleb.] [Queries for answer in this column should be addressed "Caleb," care This Press, Cliristchurcb, and to erisun; publication on any Saturday must be received not later than the Tuesday preceding.] Mrs A. A. Johnson,, of St. Albans, has disposed of a smart Sydney Silky puppy by Yarra Wattle Blue ex Mafd of the Blue Mountains, to Mrs R. Tor-. iens, of Corsair Bay. Mrs H. Simon's pleasing Alsati-in bitch, Copia of Vindabona, has been on a stud visit to the well-known Wellington dog Danko Picardy of Kilmartm owned by Messrs Dunn and Pater-

Mr K. O. Johnson's all white Sealyi.tim terrier bitch, Lady Miffawney, has vvhelped a litter of six puppies, one dog, liv the imported dog Golden Melody. Messrs G. and F. E. Biltcliff, of carton, have had their imported Sealyham terrier bitch, Nydfa Yale, mated to the promising young stud dog. Lord Giyn Dhu. Mrs A. C. Johns, of Fendalton, has secured a particularly promising lemon and white Springer Spaniel dog puppy bv Gunner Adair, ex Fanny Gun, from its breeder, Mr R. 0. Johnson, of St. A. B. Talbot's Australian-bred smooth Fox-terrier bitch, Reiby of Lundie, has whelped a- good litter of live puppies, two dogs, by her kenneluiatp, eh Sandgrit (Aust.). These puppies should be outstanding as Reiby is by ch. Yootha Ideal, ex Yootha Pinprick. Transmission of Acquired Characteristics. Scientific naturalists declare that an animal cannot transmit to its progeny characteristics which are not innate in itself or its forebears, but acquired by outside influence or experience. MutiWinns cannot of course be transmitted to the offspring. You may dock the tails of terrier puppies from generation generation, but subsequent puppies will continue to be born with tails of tiie normal length. If dew-claws are a f-imilv characteristic, they persistently t'ecur in spite of their removal from the parents. If, on the other hand, w„i train votir dog to perform certain outies or fancy tricks, the ability to : rerform them is not handed on by lni and the lessons must be repeated in' the puppies as from the betrmnin<* The scientific theory is that physical qualities which,are not inborn Ld which have not been possessed by the ancestors cannot by any possibility i,p transmitted. . This would seem to be a flat contradiction of the recognised practice that

in breeding dogs for sporting anii working purposes, it is above all things necessary to be sure that the chosen sire and dam are of sporting and working stock. Pointing, retrieving, and shepherding are assuredly in this sense acquired characteristics, the result of training and education; they are not essentially inborn faculties. Nevertheless, the belief that ability in these directions is transmitted from generation to geenration is so much a part of the business of dog-breeding that it has become a fixed creed. In human affairs it is reasonable to expect that the children of clever parents will, in their turn, show cleverness in the same direction, and this is very much the case with regard to the mental aptitudes of dogs. Certain breeds have been utilised for given purposes, and it is beyond question that the individual dogs of those breeds are peculiarly apt in learning to perform the work ih v/hich their parents excelled. It is as a general rule far easier to turn out-good gyn-dogs from parents that have, been systematically trained to their work than from parents that have never been used in field sports and the same argument holds good in annexion with the activities of train and acquired capability in all the various breeds that have been employed in particular kinds of work. To this extent it can be said . that acquired characteristics are certainly transmitted, and that the puppies of specially clever dogs are more, than likely to inherit the cleverness. This is the basis upon which all breeders depend in their efforts to succeed in what is called breeding for brains. Skin Troubles and Distemper. When skin trouble accompanies distemper, it should be regarded as helpiul rather than the reverse. It indicates that Nature is throwing off the poison from the system; nothing therefore should be done to check the skin trouble toe suddenly. Mange and other lotions used at a time like that are not only worse than useless, but sre positively dangerous. The' skin should be kept soft by using a nonchemical emollient such as olive oil. If there should be a running sore it should be kept clean by gently sponging with warm water and anointing with iodex ointment which is excellent for checking inflammatory skin trouble and healing otherwise seeminelv incurable sore places. Kennelling. • Dogs that have been brought up in a sensible manner are seldom affected by the weather, their general health and hardiness being a good safeguard against the ailments which more readily attack coddled and pampered pets. Muggy, damp weather is perhaps mora responsible for the development of colds than any other cause, and a dog's housing should receive special attention at the present time. The kennel should be raised slightly; from tha

ground if there is any risk of damp working through the floor-boards, and should, moreover, be free from draughts. Clean, warm beading— straw is excellent provided that it is changed frequently—is another essential. Never let a dog go to its kennel or come into the house and lie down, with a wet coat. A brisk rub with a towel or even old newspapers will quickly get f of surplus moisture, and a good brush will complete the treatment.