THE KENNEL

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 35

THE KENNEL

By Tereor,

Fanoi«rs and breeders of dogs are cordially inTited to contribute to this column. " Terror " will endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this he must have th» co-operation of Ms readers, hence he trusts this inritation will be chjerfullr responded to.

— In reply to "Martha" : I find that ten drops of Fowler's solution of arsenic twice a day in the drinking water for a fortnight is recommended as a cure for skin eruption following distemper.

— Rickety Puppies. — Puppies which are weak on the legs are often constitutionally delicate, or else they have been subjected to some sort of unwise treatment, such as being kept on a brick floor or too elo^s confinement, or half a doz/>n other things -wH£dH prevent tK-e propel development of their limbs Outdoor eveiveise and plenty of it, with suitable food containing something that will tend to grow bone ar.d muscle and not simply fatten, a\oidant3 of anything like- brick floors which produce a «heumatic tendency — Uiese are t-he piincipal

essentials. Some breeds are, of coirrse," more liable to rickets than others. Dogs like the Great Dane, where there Is not only length of limb, but a good heavy body for the legs to support, offer an example. In all these breeds, straijjhteess and strength are required, and at the earliest sign of anything weak or misshapen, steps must be taken to provide a remedy It is when a puppy i 6 growing, and only then, that you can vary the shape of its limbs; and apart from the general principles suggested above, we may say that the best course to take is to give Parmh's food and 'cod-liver oil — lime water in small quantities with practically every meal, and take special care to provide plenty of good raw meat, free from fat, and a little bone meal ;n; n any soft food thait may be given. — The following remarks by "Standard," of the Weekly Times, Melbourne, appear to me to correspond with my own views respecting a movement, similar to the one he speaks of, now in contemplation in Dunedin: — "The kennel fancy of South Australia, proposes -to establish a club of its> cwn. For many years past the kennel, poultry, and pigeon fanciers have held a combined show under' the heading of the South Australian Poultry and Kennel Club. During the.. past five years, however, the kennel section has : mproved greatly. It has now a strong list of members. The question whether they are sufficiently strong to launch out on their own is, perhaps, open to dise-tssion. In New South' Waks shows for -dogo only have not beeir attended withencouragin? results. The poultry and kennel fancy has several things in common. When the members of both sections work together in harmony the interests of both dogs and poultry should be promoted. The 6hows of to-day are not nearly the same as in -years gone by. The support of fanciers themselves is as .cordial, but the public does not respond an formerly. Very few specials car be obtained, and the attendanoa is much reduced. All things considered, it appears &\ if the members of the kennel fancy of South Australia would do much better if they joined forces with the Poultry and Kennel Olub, instead of forming a club of their own."

— One of the novel attractions at the thirty-third annual show of the Victorian Poultry and Kennel Club, held this month, will be whippet racing. A number of these extremely fast dogs have been imported, and these will display their speed in handicap races during the show.

— A Melbourne contemporary says: — "That the Yorkshire terrier as a popular ladies' pet has come to stay may be instanced by the number of choice importations that have come to Australia during the pact few years. One of the largest importers of these dogs is Mr J. Carey, who informs me that no has nine imported 'Yorks' in, his kennel at the present time. Yorkshire terriers/ besides being handsome pels, are not to be overlooked as valuable 'burglar alarms.' Their ears are always open to suspicious sounds, and the gentlemain who will relieve .the 'lines' of a week's washing, if not disturbed will be jnuch. annoyed at the incessant barking of die toy terrier, kept in the house during his presence in the back-yard. The sneak-thief also 'meets trouble half-way when he calls at a residence in which a small terrier considers it his business to speak up.