Kennel Notes.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 28, 24 September 1920, Page 11

Kennel Notes.

MISTAKES MADE BY NOVICES. Among the many mistakes made by novices the most common is that of supposing that there is any difliculty in getting a dog into show form. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, and one sometimes comes across a dog that persistently refuses to look well, even when all proper care is taken of him ; he is what is known as a "bad doer." But the average healthy dog can be easily got into show form, which, after all, is only a synonym for perfect health. DO NOT FATTEN DOGS. The most ordinary raistake made by a beginner is to fatten his dog. Now, a fat dog is not wanted in a show. Even the toy dogs are not fattened up. Extravagant decoration of their cages is permitted, and in this way the natural desire of a woman to heap kindnessess on her pets is gratifled. But that is all. The pet dog who has never been shown is too often made so fat that his life is a misery to him.

CONDITION. Having decided, then, that the dog must not be fat we come to the question of what flesh he ought to carry. Some breeds may be fairly plump ; some should be "hard," with scarcely any superfluous flesh on their bones ; some should have well-developed muscles ; some need have none, at least none that are prominent. Take the case of a fox terrier for instance, a dog that was primarily intended for sport. If you get your terrier at all fat he will not be in show form, but in your desire to get him into hard condition you may spoil him in another way. You may possibly think that the easiest way of reducing his flesh and substituting muscle is to give him some gallops heHind a bicycle or horse. There is no surer way of spoiling the dog. A terrier so exercised will put on muscle on his shoulders to such an extent that he will get what is known in canine circles. as "wide in front," which is a grave fault in a terrier, and, indeed, in most dogs. The terrier should have just enough exercise to get him into good health, and do not forget that part of this exercise must take place on the road, so that his nails may he worn down properly. Do not try to gallop him about. A scamper will do no harm, of course, but do not follow the plan adopted by an enterprising young fancier who thought he was doing the right thing by following the methods used by trainers of greyhounds. In this case, a boy held the terriers, the owner ran down the road for half a mile, and the terriers were slipped to him one by one. Such a training is all very well for greyhounds who are to run at a meeiing — and with them the best method Is to make them start on the level or down a slope, and finish up a hill — but fl is quite out of place with terriers. When you see that your dog is in good health, and that he keeps in good health without the need o| medicine, he is having enough exercise. Some dogs are naturally very shy and nervous, and one that has such a disposition is by no means a good dog, for show purposes. You will have to exercise great care in his training; otherwise you will break his spirit, and a dog that looks at all cowed in tne ring stands a poor chance of being judged according to his merits. You must not blame the judge for this. The judge cannot be expected to form an opinion of a dog that resolutely tries to slink away when he is in the ring with other dogs. Some men have been so care. . ful about their dogs not being at all cowed, that all training — as far as education is coneemed — has been omitted.