DOG LORE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 154, 16 November 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

DOG LORE

(By "Liivci'ack").

One has 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-color-ed and whites were in mortal oonllict; 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 (lowed like the milk of to-day. 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 Kgmont's base, and so all'ectionately situated as to be kissed by the morning sun. Little wonder that covetous eyes are cast Egmont-wards; little wonder at the enhanced value of sections; little wonder if absolute consternation were not experienced and expressed at the stupendous growth of the "dog section" at the Stratford Show. Humans from all parts of the Dominion have signified their intention of going to the dogs' fast. Misplaced love all'airs are not the cause, but anxiety to see the grand spectacular canine parade of all the dogs exhibited at the aurora borealis of Taranaki —the Stratford Show; entries for which close positively on November 21.

As if in acknowledgment of the loving care and devotion bestowed on the dogs at 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 the November 27 and 28. The breeds chosen are Gordon setters, Australian terriers, Sydney Silky and beardie collies. In order to become a champion, a dog must win in New Zealand three challenge classes under three different judges, 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 prefix of champion, must necessarily meet the best the Dominion offers for two seasons. For elegance of style, cleanliness of habit and graceful movement, few dogs can equal the whippet, for which reason its popularity as a companion has increased very greatly within the past decade, although in New Zealand they do not exist in as great a number as many of us would desire. No more affectionate creature is to be found, yet it possesses considerable determination and pluck, and on occasion will defend itself in its own way. Two fragile in its anatomy for fighting in the ordinary sense 'of the word, when molested it will "snap" at its opponent with such celerity as to take even the most watchful by surprise; while its strength of jaw, combined with its comparatively great length, enables it to inflict severe punishment at tke first grab. It was probably owing to this habit, which is common to all whippets, that they were originally known as "snap-dogs." The whippet existed as a separate breed long before dog shows were thought of, and at a time when records of pedigrees were not officially preserved; but it is very certain that the greyhound had a share in its. genealogical history, for not only should its appearance be precisely that of a greyhound in miniature, but the purpose for which it was bred is very similar to that for which its larger prototype is still used, the only difference being that rabbits were coursed by whippets and hares by greyhounds. Wanganui is developing a craze in this direction and seeking the possession of whippets. Mr. T. Kirkwood, of Stratford, has, I believe, commissioned Mr. T. Stohr, who has journeyed to Bananaland, to procure for him some classical dogs. The manner in which the sport was formerly carried out was not in keeping with modern ideas, as the quarry was not hunted up anywhere near its accustomed haunts, but was first caught by the aid of nets, and when required was turned down in an enclosed space in front of a couple of dogs, who were in charge of an. official slipper. The march of civilisation, however, put a stop to what was nothing more nor less than cruelty, for the rabbit had no possible means of escape, to say nothing of its terrified state when let loose, consequent on its previous imprisonment. The intervention of the authorities brought about a change, which, though an improvement from a moral point of view, has its drawbacks, for the present manner of whippet racing cannot be called coursing, since it does not test the turning capabilities of the dogs engaged; neither do the competitions take place over grass land, but on cinder tracks, very similar to those favored by professional pedestrians, but always perfectly straight. The official slipper is dispensed with, instead of whom the owner of each competitor engages the services of an experienced person to start the dog on its journey at a signal given.by the firing of a pistol. As a rule the contests are handicaps, the' starting point of each competitor being regulated by its weight ; but the winners of previous important events are penalised in addition, according to their presumed merit, by having a certain number of yards deducted from the start, to which weight alone would otherwise have entitled them. Amongst whippet racers the individual who can release a whippet in a satisfactory manner is considered to be quite a professor.

Some idea of the speed at which these very active little animals can travel must not lie judged by Mr. 11. Brooks' Glory's performance, who was hindered by her cover, when in pursuit of a hare in the New Plymouth Recreation Grounds at a recent football match, but may be gleaned from the fact that the full distance has been covered in rather under 12 seconds. In some quarters the idea is prevalent that whippets arc delicate in their constitution, but this is a popular error. Probably their disinclination to go out, of doors on their own initiative when the weather is. cold and wet may account for the opinion; but given the opportunity to roam about a house the whippet will find a comfortable place and will rarely ail anything. In scores of houses whippets go to bed with the children, and are so clean that even scrupulous housewives take no exception to their finding their way under Unclothes to the foot of the bed, thereby securing their own protection and serving as an excellent foot-warmer in winter months.