MR BOYD THOMSON'S KENNEL.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 133, 29 March 1879, Page 3

MR BOYD THOMSON'S KENNEL.

[From the ' Otago Daily Times.'] When atTemuka, Canterbury, a day or two ago, -\ve paid a visit to Mr Boyd Thomson, the well-known patron of the leash, and had an opportunity of seeing his hounds and noticing a little of his kennel discipline. The kennel is situated upon his farm, where about an acre of ground alongside of a fine running stream is fenced in with sawn palings. Close by the trainer's residence are the quarters for for the dogs, which consist of two nea flyconstructed wooden houses, each containing four apartments, with doors opening into a yard, laid down with cement. Each apartment is floored with wood, and contains a comfortable bunk, well littered with fresh straw, and the whole establishment was scrupulously clean. Two of the silky-coated greyhounds occupy each bunk. Mr Thomson has some 14 or 15 of the beautiful animals besides two litters of them with foster-mothers. We did not obtain any of their pedigrees, but they are ivll of known good blood, from some of the host kenne s in England. He lias also a thoroughbred setter from imported stock, a thoroughbred cocker spaniel, and a pair of the old original Scotch pointers, eight months old, from tlie Earl of De Lucy's kenneK There a r o said to he noao like these in the country. Mr Thomson expire to take part in all the meetings during iho appro iold'ig season in Caurerbm-y and Obi go. ami hie; now 10 of Ins greyhounds in artivc training-. They will tie tri?cl on tlie Gih or 7th of April. As they are delicate creatures, they must be kept very dry and comfortable, and bo supplied with jackets in cold weather. When in training great care is used in feeding them, the'r food being of the best, and a certain quantity allowed daily to each according to condition, which must he neither too high nor too low. There is little fiesli upon their bones, but that little is made solid by frequent friction with brushes and gloves. Mr Thomson's hounds, when in 'raining, have one meal every afternoon of bread made of wheat flour and oatmeal broken up, and. mixed with cow heel jelly. This is followed by a little cooked sheeps' tongues and cheeks, cut up small. Considering the fine stack with which Mr Thomson has commenced, and the great trouble which he takes in housing, training, and getting Ms dogs into conditiou, we should say that he has every prospect of obtaining perfection in breeding.