DOG LORE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 56, 30 October 1912, Page 2

DOG LORE.

(By “Laverick.” One lias not far to gaze back into the years to recollect when it was possible to hark to the cannon’s loud report o’er the bush-clad hills, when the Copper-coloured and Whites were in mortal conflict; when the bugle calls of our gallant defenders were drowned by the war cries of the oncoming hordes; and when the blood of the combatants flowed like the milk of today. Little need have we of being indebted to ballad-singers for rescuing our ■ own history from oblivion, when so many of my readers have passed through those stirring events. Time has wrought changes. What a restive panorama now exists; Taranaki, the productive, the picturesque; nestling, as it does, around Egmont’s base and so affectionately situated as to be kissed by the morning sun. Little wonder that covetous eyes are cast Egmontwards; little wonder at the enhanced value of sections; little wonder if absolute consternation were not experienced and expressed at the stupend-, ous growth of the section of sections, the “dog section!” —the “dog section!” —at the Stratford Show. / As if in acknowledgment of the loving care and devotion bestowed on the dogs by the management of the Stratford fixture, the New Zealand Kennel Club have with commendable perspicacity bestowed upon it no less than four challenge classes, to be competed for on the 27th and 28th November. The breeds chosen are —Gordon Setters, Australian Terriers, Sydney Silky, and Bearded Collies. In order to become a champion, a dog must win in New Zealand three challenge classes under three different judges, at three different shows, on three different dates. Two challenge classes only are allocated during the exhibition year for any one breed. Hence it is, that a dog before he gains the coveted challence must necessarily meet the best the Dominion offers for two seasons. The Cordon Setter Family. Mr J. P. Bonner, who recently had the mortification of finding that two of his cock pheasants had been wantonly killed during his absence, is a keen Gordon Setter fancier, and has thoughtfully given a special prize for that class. The origin of the Gordon Setter is obscure, though all authorities agree in bestowing the honour of its production upon the Duke of Gordon; hence the name by which the national setter of Scotland is recognised even in the present day. This cognomen is, I claim, only partly correct, inasmuch as the particular dogs first favoured by the Duke of Gordon, were black, tan, and white, heavily built, and exceptionally clumsy in appearance. But the introduction of the Irish Setter blood had the effect of improving the tan and making a racier-looking dog and more fashionable. One Dung is certain, and that is that as moren fashion dictates, a Gordon Setter marked with white would not have much (if any) chance of success upon the show bench, as our present judges seem most hostile to it, and are, to my mind, quite justified. At any rate, the tri-col-oured dog is rarely seen at exhibitions. I claim that the time has arrived for the New Zealand Kennel Club to take action and abolish the term “Gordon” altogether, or at least make the classification read “Gordon or Black and Tan Setters;” otherwise, judges should feel constrained to take notice of such competitors as are black, tan, and white in colour.

It is very difficult to account for the lack of interest which is taken in the variety outside Scotland, but the fact remains that far too few are troubling officials of shows regularly at the present time. Surely, some interprising individual will be forthcoming when this exceptionally good opportunity to take up a variety with every prospect of immediate and very satisfactory results (financial and otherwise) has been drawn attention to, for there can be no doubt that, with very little effort, the popularity of the Gordon Setter could be resusciated. The want of an active organisation which would foster and encourage the interests of the Black and Tan is much to bo deplored, and is without doubt, the chief cause of its being so much neglected by show committees, other than Stratford; for -in these strenuous days, when almost every breed or variety of breed is backed up by its own votaries, it cannot lie expected that such as are not constantly kept in prominence will receive anything more than scant consideration. Their Rumoured Origin. The story runs that when looking around for a judicious cross the rumour reached his lordship that there was an extraordinarily clever sheepdog bitch belonging to a shepherd in the neighbourhood. This bitch had been taught to set birds by her owner, and her staunchness was said to be remarkable. She became the property of the Duke. It is to this Collie bitch that many hold that the modern famous Gordon Setter owes its origin, and certainly the presumption seems a very fair one.

’ Whatever reliance, however, is to be placed on this alleged formation of the Gordon strain, the value of dogs from the Duke’s kennel was far higher than of those coming from other quarters, and a genuine importation from Gordon Castle was always looked upon as possessing no impurity of blood. As a proof of this, the pi-ices realised at one of the Duke’s sales may, he taken as conclusive. No less than 72 guineas was given for “Young Regent,” a black-white and tan 4-year-old. Another much debatable point i in connection with a Gordon Setter’s colour is one which concerns his feet and legs. It must be here stated, for the benefit of those unaquainted with the dog, that his principal colour is black-and-tan (the question of white.

being for the time laid aside). The point at issue is whether there should be black traces or “pencil marks” up his toes, as in the case of a black-and-tan Terrier. I have conversed with many of the eminent authorities of the day, and have almost been amused at the decided difference of opinion which exists amongst them on this question. Both parties, as far as I can judge, though- not carrying their opinions far enough to desire the disqualification of a dog which does not represent their views in this respect, are most decided in their expressions as to what they think should be the case. Upholders of the “redstockinged” dog object to pencilled toes as being, in the first instance, chance introductions, which if encouraged may come to be too highly thought of, and consequently lead to a degeneration of the breed, to the neglect of other more essential points. On the other hand, those who advocate these fancy markings, with reason I consider, are wont to argue that any additional mark of beauty is a point to be gained by breeders, and they therefore claim that if other points are equal the pencilled-toed Gordon should be placed above his clean-legged rival. No Causa For Wonder. It may be wondered that so much attention has been directed to the colour of the Gordon Setter; but it should be borne in mind that it is here where his chief difference Horn his English relative is to be found. The Gordon is far coarser in the head than the English Setter is found to be, possessing a deeper and broader muzble and heavier lips. The ears are also somewhat longer, and the eyas frequently show the haw. The black should be black, and entirely free from white. The tan on the cheeks and over the eyes, on the feet and pasterns, should be bright and clearly defined, and the feathering on the forelegs and thighs should also be a rich dark mahogany tan, a colour most of our dogs are lacking in. Perhaps, I should not conclude these few words without some mention of his capabilities as a gun-dog. As a field dog, he has both detractors and admirers. He is stigmatised by the former as an old man’s dog, as they maintain that he can rarely do more than “potter about,” and is always beaten by lunch-time, owing to his size. This opinion is certainly shared by most practical sportsman (who greatly prefer a good sized medium dog), but many of these, even though admitting that he is only a half-day dog, at the same time gladly bear witness to his powers when he is at work. In all probability the finest class of Gordon Setters yet seen in Australasia will be in evidence in the Challenge Class at our forthcoming exhibition on the 27th and 28th November, entries for which close on 'the’ 7 , ’ i i ! 1 » J 1 21st instant.