THE KIRKWOOD KENNELS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 6 May 1913, Page 7

THE KIRKWOOD KENNELS.

V DAY AMONG THE SETTERS

Recently, when in the Taranaki dis-

trict, it game mo (writes a repi'csentativo of “The Farmer”) gieat pleasure to accept in invitadJn f.-om Mr T. Kirkwood to visit jus Kennels of English Setters. Unfortunately, rt the t.rr.e jf my inspection tho kennels were son ew bat depleted, the younger -lock 'uti u.g departed to their Oitare homos though when full tho inmates number anything from ten to twenty gun dogs.

It is Mr Kirkwood’s practice to exhibit first before offering for sale any of the stock roared by him, t'u.s enabling the would-be purchaser to have export opinion regarding the qualities of the animal", and it m,.y hero 1)0 stated that the County Kennel enjoys the unique distinction of claiming as a winner every pup ei ei exhibited from these now famous kennels. Truly a first-rate performance. And, by the way, the Stratford ai d New Plymouth winner, County Comet, has been purchased by Mr McCord, of America, who is now in New Zealand on an official visit to the New Plymouth oil bores. The kennels, I find, are conveniently situated some 200yds from the Post Office and Railway Station, Stratford, thus giving anyone desirous of inspecting the animals an opportunity to do so, even if pressed for time. An acre in extent, and securely surrounded by a six-foot iron fence, which gives ample protection from the biting winds which race down the precipitous slopes of old Mount Egrnont, who lifts bis hoary head in the background as if peering into the kennels —and enables the proprietor to give his charges a sufficiency of exercise so essential to working gundogs.

Our approach was heralded by the joyful bark of Erua Belle, and speedily taken up by the rest of the canines, the keen-scented animals being aware of our presence long before we were visible. A sharp whistle and all was again still, but it was quite obvious

that a bond of love existed between the master and bis charges by the loving looks of devotion emitted from the almost human eyes of the Setters.

“I have,” remarked Mr Kirkwood, “been a lover of dogs all my life, and have made them one of my chief studies. I have owned gun-dogs for the last 15 years, being an ardent sportsman, but in 1909, being desirous of founding a kennel of pedigree Setters, I set about making inquiries as to where T could probably procure a specimen possessing the aristocratic lineage which I desired. I was fortunate enough to> procure from the Erua Kennels, Erua Bello, then three months old. Therefore Belle was, and still is, tho foundation of my kennels. She is a magnificent; hitch 'in 1 tho field. 1 went to great trouble when breaking her in. Her bench history lias boon one continuous run of success, she having been fearlessly shown at all the large shows, only meeting defeat on one occasion, .when she was awarder! second place, ( She has nearly 30 firsts and numerous specials to her credit, her latest win being the Open Class at the recent Nenv Plymouth Show.”

Our next inspection was of the young lemon Belton bitch, County Countess, winner at Stratford and New Plymouth. Countess has not, during her short exhibition life, done herself justice, inasmuch as her condition has not been of the best, but, happily, she is fast coming into her own, and, possessing as she does those Stirling qualities so much sought after by breeders at the early ago of ten months, much may be expected from her in the future..

The joyful yelp from Rack-a-Eock. a well-known performer on the New Zealand exhibition benches, drew our attention. Rack is by eh. Camberwell Rock, ex .Camberwell Trixie, and was bred by the late Mr Betheras, of Victoria. Rack-a-Rock was given bis first opportunity to prove his capabilities as a sire last season. Right well ho came out of the ordeal, producing, without an exception, puppies possessing that length of foreface, shapely formation of skull, beautifully sprung ribs, hone, and all the qualities that go to make the English Setter one of the most beautiful creatures. Mr Kirkwood’s whole aim is to improve and bring to a state as near perfection as possible the Setters of New Zealand, and Raek-a-Roek, having produced such progeny as County Count, winner, at Hawera, County Countess, County Comet, County Bello, and numerous others. Mr Kirkwood now offeys the services of his dog to Setter fanciers throughout the Dominion per medium of this journal. Rack’s pedigree, 1 find, on perusal, contains the names of many (if the greatest Setters of modern times, such champions as ch. Richmond, imported into Australia from England some dozen years ago, and when in his prime considered unbeatable, ch. Rocks Ahead (imp.), cb. Wildford Guinevere, cb. Carlton Frank ch. Sir Lemon, ch. Ripple Shot, eh. Ruby TV., ch. Royal Sam (imp.), ch. Sir Tatton, ch. Sir Alistor, ch. Prince Rupert, ch. Monarch! in fact, champions too numerous to mention. Realising that a great deal of a breeder’s success depends upon the state of health the stud dog is in when ho begets offspring, for a delicate or unhealthy dog is more than likely to transmit his defects to his puppies, which are, in consequence, more difficult to rear, and of less value when they attain maturity—considerable attention is paid to Rack-a-Rock’s comfort and well-being by his owner. Next to engage my attention was the classical young hitch, County Bello winner at the last Wanganui Show of the Wanganui Kennel Club’s special for best Setter puppy dog or bitch.

Bello has been criticised in these columns so often that fnrtner remarks are unnecessary, other than stating that she is one of the best Setters we have to-day, both in tiio field and on the bench. “ What have wo hero ” I remarked, observing a dog that looked quite out |of his element amongst his more aristocratic companions. ‘•Oh, that,” replied Mr Kirkwood, “is a cross between a Lavcrack setter and a retriever. i bought him some nine years ago, when ho was only six weeks old.” “Evidently a good field dog,” I ventured. “Absolutely one of best. Ho p°ssesscs more bird-knowledge than any dog I know,” replied-mine host. “For example, he knows exactly where a bird has fallen, when he could have no possible chance of seeing it fall. Ho is as near perfect, as a retriever, as one would wish. On one occasion, when out with a companion, we fired into a covey of quail on the wing. Xono were perceived to fall, but a mass of floating feathers indicated that a number had been stung. Rover, as is Ids custom, began a diligent search. From our position on the hillside, after some time had elapsed, I observed he was mouthing some object, in a gentle fashion, all his own. M hat was my surprise to find it to be a quail. When retrieving to hand ho was rn !i t half-way up the hill by my friend’s clog. Emitting a. low growl, ho deliberately retraced his steps, through tho dense undergrowth in the bottom of tho gully, and fossicked amongst the bushes and long grass on the other side for a moment, then appeared to have dropped tho bird and to bo experiencing some difficulty in picking it up. To say 1 was dumfounded when he returned with two quail in his mouth, is to put it mildly; Having delivered his mouthful, lie speedily sailed into his canine friend, with such murderous intent that had wo not interfered wo would have had but one dog to shoot over for tho rest of the day. Truly, he is a wonderful dog, and were I to narrate many of hig feats in tho field, f am sure you would begin to think that Ananias was a very much overrated man. Yet I have refused £ls for him.”

“You have,” I observed, “probably heard it stated that the pedigree dog is of little use in this hold ”

“Yes, frequently,” replied Mr Kirkwood; “no doubt on account of some of our best bench dogs not being broken to tho gun. But with these” —indicating his setters—“l can speedily dispel all such delusions. Of course,” lie remarked, “it would be idle to expect that tho offspring of unbroken siro and dam can lie as easily educated as a dog whose parents before him have been properly trained. Inherited qualities count for a great deal in the adaptability of all sporting dogs.- It took me- two years to break in Rover—two years of persistent training—and whereas ho scents on the ground, tbo pedigree •setter scents in the air. Thus it is obvious that while Rover is wasting bis time following tho bird’s movements, Ripple Rake (Rover’s companion) is setting Ids bird. What more beautiful sight would one wish to see than the pedigree dog going up ou his bird—stealthily, every nerve vibrating witn the intensity of his emotion, head in air, Jus every movement suggesting his very existence is at stake if ho fail to circumvent his prey, then the statuesque pose at a Idistauco calculated to such a nicety as will not disturb tbo game, then that look from the corner of his eye to see if his master is in tho chosen position. ‘Bang!’ I wish none hotter. In \ iew of the fact,” continued Mi Kirkwood, “that a large number of setters are undergoing preparation lor the forthcoming shooting season. I would like to observe that the setter is in possession of a constitutional timidity which induces him to dread tho severity of correction, and* , of

urea, to avoid the means of dis-

■raee, fraught with this irritability, their treatment in the field becomes'a matter of judicious discrimination. Dogs of this discription, perpetually nlue to the fear of giving offence uul incurring bodily punishment, lay daim to every little tender attention at home as well as in the field. Warm, hasty, impetuous sportsmen contribute not infrequently to their own mortification and disappointment, for many dogs of this disposition corrected in passion or heat with severity, are so completely overwhelmed with distress or humiliated with fear, that they almost insensibly sink at the feet and can be prevailed on to hunt no more, or, what is sometimes the case, slink away home without the least chance whatever of being again induced to render further assistance in the sport of the day.”

During the interview a very promising pointer puppy was playing at my feet, one which gives exceptional promise of developing into a warm customer. Upon inquiry, I found it to he one of Ch. Brummy Prince Bosker’s youngsters, ex Sea Spray. As the time at my disposal was drawing to a close, and rather alarmingly as judged from a train point of view, T hastened stationwnrds, passing on my way the Gordon setter County Prince, winner at Wanganui, Hawera, and Stratford Shows, and whilst congratulating Mr Kirkwood on his show (successes was informed that somewhere in the vicinity of one hundred firsts had been awarded has exhibits during his three years of exhibition life. Let it not ho thought, however, that tin's amazing achievement has been gained without many hitter experiences. Time and again

when his sad bereavements have been made known to ns, wo have announced bis'almost ruinous lossos through these eolmnns, when without the slightest break in the continuity of misfortune, disaster, desolation and despair, sufficiently disruptive to dis-

hearten a stone image, he has by his perseverance and pluck reached something very mar to the ideal standard oi' perfection which he has consistently bred up to. As a worker in connection with cannie exhibitions, Mr Kirkwood

has no compeer. When he visits a show he can always he; found amongst the workers, in fact, so easily and so well does he adapt himself to circumstances and work, that one is inclined to wonder who “broke him in.”