IMPORTED AIREDALES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 24, 2 June 1913, Page 7

IMPORTED AIREDALES.

MCMILLAN'S KENNELS. ! By tjie mail train on Saturday night, j Mr J. W. McMillan, of McMillan anc | Fredric, received a couple of import- [ ejd Airedale terriers, direct from | Yorkshire, England, together with a ! litter of five pups which were born during the period of quarantine on Quarantine Island. When seen in snug quarters at their owner's home yesterday, they formed an interesting study in canine life. They are all in great "nick," and were playing and scampering about as contented as if they had lived in Stratford all their lives instead of having known it only a few hours. And the burden of their great long pedigrees didn't bother them the least, little bit! "Hampden Floss" made no fuss about her offspring, even, and allowed the prodgy things to be handled and fondled without a shadow of interference, while "Midland Peter" danced about and wiped his forepaws on the nearest waistcoat without a "beg pardon." Peter is no relation to the pups, but lie plays with them in quite a paternal way, and no one could say he didn't enjoy the sight of one of the wee fellows struggling under the weight of a bone' nearly as big as himself ! Floss and Peter were sent out on the last trip of the Rotorua by Messrs Abbott Bros., of Thuxton, Norfolk, the wellknown exporters. Previous to leaving, "Hampden Floss" was lined by that champion of champions, "Champion Midland Royal," and she littered during the two months' quarantine period. The pups (three male and two female) are fivo weeks old, and already weaned. Description of the Breed.

Before referring to the pedigrees, it will be interesting to hear a word or two about the breed in general. The Airedale terrier is an" English breed, manufactured in Airedale, Yorkshire, within the last half-cen-tury. It is a wire-haired variety, and its coat should, without appearing very rough to the eye, be crisp and wiry to the touch. Colour, black-and-tan or grisaly-and-tan; weight, about 451 b, but dogs may reach about 501 b as a maximum, and bitches descend to 401 bas a minimum. The great features of the breed are a long, level head; strong, punishing jaw; flat skull; small dark eye, small Y-shaped drop ears, a, ;nice arched neck, oblique, clean shoulders^ ; and straight forelegs; ample bone, with short, cat-like feet; body short and well rounded in "the barrel; hindquarters strong, and the hind legs broad in thigh; well bent in stifles, with hocks well let down : ; appearance that of a powerful terrier, alert and game-looking, sensible, and intelligent. There is said to be no better Companion and pal than an. Airedale, and as for value, good/'shbw terriers have fetched as £3OO, and even more. Most of the Evening Post readers will have heard of the clever work accomplished by the dogs attached to the big Home and foreign police centres. Well, Airedales are the breed' selected ior> the work. It is also stated that thfeyj loan 'easily be trained'fe-«heep owncattle dogs, or for the gtrnl, if desired. >!n . ••■■ The' '■ |;

The' pedigrees which Mr ' McMillan has received with his importations are as long "as'your arm,"' and the space at disposal will not permit ot publishing them in extenso. "Champion Midland Royal," by Champion Master Royal—Madam Briar, claims a host of champions among his ancestors ranging hack to his great-great-grandpa rente. "Hampden Floss" was bred by MiArthur Patman, Menborough, Yorkshire, and is by Silsden Duke—Lady of Merborough, and here again a host of fashionable names in doggy world appear in her ancestry. She is thoroughly true to type, dark grizzly and tan, and is two and a-half years old; >!

"Midland Peter" is not full grown yet, but lie has the makings of a fine specimen. Compared to the bitch, he is a study in contrasts, being black with a typical long tan head and tan points. He is not yet ten months oldj and was bred by Mr Edward Blunt, Midland Kennels, Ivydene, Siiarestone, North Atherstone. From his parents, Naiktone Corporal-Bron-da, backwards, his pedigree is dotted with champions and the names of well-known Airedales. In the Future. It will he seen, therefore, tha tin the litter of pups Mr McMillan has some splendid Airedale strain; in fact, it is questionable if anything better has been imported to the Dominion. The show benches will know these fine terriers ere long, which will he sufficient advertisement oftheir worth. It is understood that alreadv one of the pups has caught the fancy of a lover of Airedales, and that the* others will soon find purchasers there is not the slightest doubt. Mr McMillan is to he congratulated on his enterprise in importing such fine specimens, and he deserves to have every success with them in the future.