Kennel Notes.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 2, 26 March 1920, Page 11

Kennel Notes.

BY "SPANIEL."

Now that the war is over, fanciera @£ all kinds are settling down to develop their special hobby. Particularly is this so amongst tliose vrho breed dogs, who by tae way, are man's faithful friend. Several shows have been held throughuut New Zealand quite recently and perbaps a review of the Otago Kennel Club's Show may give a very fair idea as to the state of the "Fancy" at present. The judge of all breeds was Mr J. D. Graham, of Wanganui. Deerhounds were not very numerous but the quality was good. Mr R. W. Brown,-«i Dunedin, exhibited a fine young dog of his own breeding, who not only won all his classes, but also won the Ladie's Braclet and secured the honour of best in the show. Greyhounds were well represented, owners recognising in the judge, oue liaving special ability in making awards for the bieed. The quality was good. Setters : The Gordon was not very numerous, but quality was good and the winnor was to be found in "Otanomomo Don." The English were more numerous. Some really good ones came forward, though their condition was not all that could be desired. Two very good dogs namely "Blue" and "Southland Shot" were the chief to dispute the ownerships of the special prize. Eventually the former scored, his better condition standing out. Irish only brought forward one entry but he was not a well bred one. Retrievers have fallen away in numbers, but the quality in "Brown's" was fairly good. Heads being the chief draw back as they showed coarsness. Rough Collies were only passable, both in numbers and quality. A very good bearded Collie was shown namely A. Ewart's, "Wave," which was placed third. Bulldogs as usual, made strong classes, but Mr Graham seemed to be sudden in making his wards. Being a breeder of tbese, he no doubt found them easy to place. "Awamoa" an Invercargill bred dog took first honours. He is cloddy and very short in the body but has i'aulty quarters, being to beefy and also deficieiiu in underjaw. The dog most fancied by many was Mrs J. A. Doig's "Pongo." We predict a good many wins for this dog if well shown. He is a typical bulldog. Plenty of him with a good natural front, heavy bone, low to ground, well placed ears and a good head. Mr Sam -Cardham's "Silver Lulu," now in her eighth year, accounted for first honours in bitches. She is one of the best but has not often been well shown. A fault which should be marked against the owner. Coming to Airedales we found Mrs Bitscloff to the i'ore by a young one by the the name of "Wairiki Wise Wench," which was accounted special for best Airedales^— either sex. A nice pup, typical, with a good colour, but too shy. In dogs, J. Doe's "Briars Result" was winner. A good sort of dog, but requires expert attention to mahe him appear anything like "Wise Wench." Fox terriers were not as numerous as one might expect. Everybody likes a good "foxie.' What he cannot do isn't worth doing. Mrs D. M. Garrett's "Rosymere Marvel" won in dogs. His strong point being style, which is a great asset to many terriers. He is just on the big side a.nd could do with more length.. of head. Northland Nada won for Mr W. Ross. Ffe was well shown but we were not impressed with her type. Wire-haired fox terriers were a good lot, tlie winner being Mrs Biltcliff's "Glenmore Bristler.' He was shown to perfection and deserved his win. Mr J. B. Reid's "Speak" was second dog. He is a goodie and we would like to see him exhibited after having a littlp expert attention paid him. "Jabber," also owned by Mr Reid, is - good, and a great shower, but also requires the same attention as "Speak." Scotch terriers were small in number but the quality was very good and Mr Goodwin's pair were the best we have seen for a long time. Pomeraniahs were not numerous. Mrs G. L. Lewis showed Ch. Carnasoon Wee Dolly, but age is telling. She was in bad coat-. Irish terriers were keenly contested, the best dog being J. Doe's "Paddy's Selection." He also won the special for best Irish in show. "Paddy's" strong point is head, and no doubt this feature, combined witli his great showing ability, lands him on top when in a tight coroer. We would like him a little nanower in front and also more cobby in body. He is big enough but this is not a bad fault in a stud dog.

Mr W. Henderson's "Peg O' My llcart" — we like, though age has not improved her. "Peg" is a good colour. In puppies J. Doe's "Double Selection" won over T. Hogson's "Conagher Athenry. " The latter failed to show himself up to backyard form, but he may mend his ways in the near future and turn the tables. Cocker spaniels were a good exhibit. The best in the sliow being a black dog, "Svlvan Smiler,' 'bred by Mr A, Kidd. This dog was also second in Ladies' Bracelet and runner up for best dog in show. He is a model, good black, straight legs and good feet. The right size, weighing 251bs, and is a great shower. Mr Graham ro marked that he hadn't seen a better. Mr Leas' "Sylvan Silk" won the special for best black bitch in show. She is a good one; nice size, and plenty of quality, but has not been well shown so far. In coloured cockers Mr D. Gillies, of Oamaru, scored with Waitaki Chappie in dog section. He is a fair spccimen, but is not a good shower and never does himself justice. "Sylvan Spangle," owned by Mrs F. Rohertson, won the special for best any other colour in show. She is a good bitch cf the right type. Fails in head and shown too fat. Sidney Silkies and Pekingese were only represented by one exhibit each. The one outstanding feature of the show was tho eap-able liandling of the dogs by the judge, Mr J. D. Graham. Exhibitors were frce in their expression of satisfaction at the way in which their dogs had been examined. Now, Invercargill, buck up and get a show going, the dogs are here and the sports too. What about holding a "Royal" show.