DOG LORE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 81, 18 November 1911, Page 8

DOG LORE.

(By Lavcrack.) Tho Aurora Borealis of Taranaki, the Stratford Show is fast approaching, and the date of entries closing for this auspicious event is November 23rd. A great many canine owners are labouring under the false impression that it is essential for a dog to be a pedigree one to be eligible for competition. This idea is entirely erroneous. If a dog is not a pedigree one it is only necessary to state “Pedigree unknown” or “Not available.” 'thus it will ho seen that a pork sausage dog (halfbred) or a pedigree bulldog may be exhibited. 'J no bulldog is known to have been domiciled in England for several centuries, but many theories are advanced as to the origin of the breed. 'The enviable position so long occupied by the bulldog could never have been anticipated by Ids admirers of fifty years ago. At that period the fortunes of the national dog of England wore at a very low ebb, not through any fault of its own, but on account of its being in the hands of a class of men who possessed no claim to lie recognised as a credit to the community. Happily, however, the day at length arrived when the bulldog was favoured by the patronage of a far higher rank of dog lover, conspicuous amongst whom was the late .Duke of Hamilton, Mr W. Awdry, lately of this town, Admiral Lord Charles Borcsford, and Mr Kleernan, of Midhirst, and since then the fortunes of the breed have been steadily on th ascendant. It is only within tho last few years, however, that the national dog of England has come to bo associated with the country’s first line of defence—the navy. Admiral Lord Charles Bcresford lias been the means of cementing the union of the bulldog and the battleship and the alliance appears likely 'to be permanent, as Die “battleship breed” is now well distributed amongst the vessels of the fleet which guards England’s shores. This being so there is cause for satisfaction from the knowledge that Dio animals in question are of the famous “Stone” breed which flourished in Mr Walter Jeffries’ kennels at Grove Park, which has sheltered many celebrated champions, including “Rodney Stone,” “.Dick Stone,” etc., from whom Lord Charles Bcresford’s, Mr Awdry’s, and Mr Kleonan’s bulldogs arc directly descended, as both the sire and dam come from tho worldfamous South London kennel in question.

The bulldog is well known and appreciated for his unparalleled courage, and in former times was used for bullbaiting, bear-baiting and fighting with each other.

It was my great pleasure to be shown by an old friend who frequently had participated in viewing these disgusting exhibitions, two advertisements published in the reign of Queen Anno. As I took a copy 1 am enabled to reproduce them for the benefit of my readers:— “At the Bear Garden in Hockley in the Hole, near Clerkenwell Green, this present Monday there is a great match to be fought by two dogs of Hampstead, at the Heading Bull, for oiio guinea to be spent; liye lets goes out by hand; which goes fairest and farthest in wins all. The famous Bull of fireworks which pleased the gentry to admiration. Likewise there are two bear dogs to jump three jumps apiece at the Beare which jumps liighest for ten shillings to be spent. Also variety of bull-baiting and bearbaiting; it being a day of general sport by all the old gamesters and a bulldog to be drawn up with (ireworks. Beginning at three o’clock.” “At William Well’s bear garden in Tuttle fields, Westminster, this present Monday, there will be ■ a green bull baited; and twenty dogs to fight for a collar; and the dog that runs farthest and fairest wins the collar; with other diversions of bull and heai baiting.” The object aimed at in the pursuit of bull-baiting was that the dog should pin and hold the bull by the muzzle, and not leave it. The bull was naturally helpless when seized in his most tender part. As the bull lowered his head in order to use In's horns it was necessary for the dog to keep close to. the ground, or, in the words of old fanciers of the sport, to “play low.” Larger dogs were at a disadvantage in this respect and therefore those of smaller proportions, which were quite suitable for the sport, were selected. In these exhibitions a rope of about fifteen feet in length was fastened to the root of the horns, and the other end was ‘ecuml to an iron ring fixed to a stone or stake driven into the ground. The dog kept his head close to the ground, or, if of a large size, he .‘rawled on his belly to avoid being above the animal’s horns. The bull on the other hand kept his nose close to the ground, and many of the veterans, I believe, had sufficient cunning or instinct to scrape a hole in the ground for tnemselves when one was not already provided, and would then endeavour to toss the dog with his horns. The baited bull was supposed to more tender for eating purposes than when killed in the orthodox manner, and in various borough the butchers who sold unbaited bull beef were subjected to considerable penalties. During the Commonwealth the sprit was condemned by the Puritans, hut subsequent to the Restoration the pastime was generally resumed with ever, greater zest. In 1802 a Bill was introduced into Parliament tor Hia suppression of bull-baiting, hut it was insisted as part of a conspiracy by the Jacobins to render the people grave and serious and to uproot constitutional government. The Bill was defeated by a majority of 13. A woise fate betel a similar measure which was introduced in 1829. It was defeated by 73 to 28, and not ‘uiitd the Reform Bill became law was bull-havt-ing prohibited. The sportsmen of the period then turned their attention to dog-lighting, and for this pastime the bulldogs wore specially trained and bred. The method of conducting the fight was for each dog to cross a chalked lino and bring his opponent out of his corner. The dogs were handled by their keepers in the ring, and once released they Hew at each other. The tactics adopted by the dogs varied according to the training they had received. Some would fight at the head, others at the legs. When a dog loosened his hold to breathe the “round” was terminated, and each dog was taken to Ids respective corner and sponged down by his keeper. A minute’s grace was allowed between each round, and a fight unlike a .Johnsonian one—sometimes lasted for two j or throe hours. Gradually dog-light-ing declined in the middle of the last century, and practically ceased forty years ago. This doubtless led to the lack of interest taken in the breed, and it degenerated to such an ext nit that it practically died rig it rut. It was stated that only two of the Duke of Hamilton’s strain. Wasp Child and Billy, remained. The commencement of the dog show era, about 1859, provided a fresh incentive to breed them, and we arc indebted to the fanciers of those- and following days for the devotion, fidelity, and affection of the varied specimens of Dio breed that

arc to To seen on -the modern show bench. What a change from the old blackguard of the species, who was solely devoted to the most barbarous and infamous purposes, having no claim upon utility, humanity, or common sense—the incarnation of ferocity, loving bloodshed and combat. A friend of iiiuri 1 who was afflicted with con.sunipuen win the proud povsenrir of a bulldog which he called Dick. During the last twelve months of his life he was confined to his room. Dick, being a great favourite, was his constant companion. My friend died. Dick was at the time confined to the yard, and continued to he so until after tho funeral. The first day he was let loose ho instantly rushed upstairs into Iris master’s room and made straight for tho easy chair in which his master used to sit, hut it was vacant. Tie put his paws on the lied, looked tinder it, rushed backwards and foi’wards crying piteously, and ran to a hack room which he searched thoroughly. Coining back he went to the chair and lied again. His master’s daughter, who was in the room, tried to comfort him, but without success. He. lay down on tho rug before the fire, and never seemed to lift Ids head tip again. No caress, no endearments, could arouse him. He refused all food that was offered to him, and it was with great difficulty that he was drenched with some beef tea. Stimulants were also given to him, but all was of no avail: he gradually fell away from the fat, heavy dog' that he had been to a complete skeleton, and on the fourth day after he had missed his old master, Dick himself i was dead. The bulldog is the one of the many breeds of dog which can, with perfect safety, he trusted alone to the mercy of ' children, who naturally in the course of play try the patience uul good temper of the firmest friend of man.

GET DOWN TO CAUSES. An Irish student attempted to refute a professor’s lecture on cause md effect. He objected to the aximiatic principle that cause is always first and effect a consequence, and he illustrated his theory by citing one of lis countrymen pushing a wheelbarrow. Whatever reasoning may bo accessary to establish the Irishman’s jontontion, one thing is certain, anise always goes first in kidney disoaso, and the effect follows. Bad jacks from disordered kidneys arj very common. Some cases arc old md chronic, and stubborn to remove, iorue are first attacks and easily disposed of by Doan’s Backache Kidioy Dills. If this fact could only be impressed upon all people what a world of suffering would be prevented. Perhaps the experience of this iian will convince you. Mr Jos. West, baker, Devon Street, New Plymouth,says : —“When if ting a bag of Hour 1 wrenched my jack and this caused a most severe pain right in the vicinity of the kidicys; it seemed as if those organs wore hurt. 1* 'heard that Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills were good and sent for some. After using, this remjcly for a short time, I was perfectly ree of all pain, and I can str mgly •ecommdnd Doan’s Backache K.dney Pills to.all who suffei; with the back.” Eight years later .Mr says : “Doan’s Backache Kmh'oy Pills cured ne of severe backache eight years igo, and 1 am,still free of this trj.ng ailment. I need not enlarge on obis, the facts spcitk for themselves.”

Watch your kidneys, and when you ioiPtJteeKas well : as you ought begin it once with the great'kidney specific —Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills; chey will restore your health, and keep you well. They are sold byill chemists and storekeepers at 3s jer bottle (six hbtles : 16s, 6d), or will ie posted, 1 on receipt qf price by j’ostor-McClellan Co., 76 Pitt Street, Sydney. But, be, sure you get DOAN’S. 13