Kennel Notes.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 33, 29 October 1920, Page 11

Kennel Notes.

(By Theo: Marples, F.Z.S.)

ETHICS OF THE SHOW RING.

A few years ago I wrote an article on this same subject in "Our Dogs." That article did not, however, cover all that might have been written ; and since then there have been little developments in connection with the pursuit of exhibiting, as well as with the honourable office of judge, which justifies a further examination of what must be an interesting and delicate topic to discuss. It will, I think, be readly admitted that I am a rather old exhihitor and judge myself, and I also claim that my experience in connection with the show ring is both intimate and varied, and has been, continuous, extending over |t period of forty years or more. I advance this information at the outset as some justification for being allowed to speak upon a question in connection with which the good taste, integrity, and honour of exbibitors and judges are so much invoived. I should like to make it quite clear, however, that the object of the expression of my views in this matter is not to constitute myself an arbiter on the.conduct or morals of either, but merely to make suggestiong upon the conduct and practice of both, solely with a view to improving the relations between one and the other, and of raising the general tone of the show ring, purely in the interests of the sport we all love. The fancy of to-day is fortunate in the possession of a Kennel Club, composed, for the most part, of high-minded gentlemen, whose bona fidea no one can doubft, and whose practical knowledge and expei'ience all will acclaim. Whefe there are no laws there is very little honour or morality. There are older fanciers living than myself but I can remember the time when association with dogs and doggy characters carried with it a certain amount of reproach. The great institution of dog shows was born in an atmosphere not connected with dishonest dealing, faking, and fraud in . conection with dogs. With the creation of a Kennel Glub, by degrees tlie kennel atmosphere beeame purified, and the Bill Sykes' methods recejved their death knell. The result has been that dog shows are now Iooked upon as among the most popuiar and pleasurable gatherings in the country, at which all classes of the community, from Royalty down, may and do attend and take part in, without the slightest fear of reproach. On the contrary, theso competitive exhibitions are regarded as educational mediums in the cultivation and improvement of the dog, "man's best friend." By the same rule tne broeding and exhibition of dogs of "high degree" have eome to be regarded as a national sporting pastime. The great growth of this pastime and its prosecution in ehannels of moral rectitude and common honesty are largely due to the beneficent influence of a. powerful kennel club, which has instituted laws to meet the malpractices of its early days, and guide its patrons into a more honourable and loftier conception of their duty one to another. It is an old saying that "there rrever was an Act of Parliament passed that a carriage-and-four could not be driven through it" ; and so it is with some of the legislation of our kennel parliament. At the same time, while we have not quite reached a milleirnium in kexmel mat. ters, I am confident that a stronger sense of honour,- of right, and of justice pervades the show ring to-day than at any previous time in its history of over half a century. Still, exhibitors and judges are but human, and being human are liable to err, and sometimes in a direetion which no law could circumvent. These little errors are sometimes miintention'al or the result of incapacity, and sometimes probably the result of self-interest. Most oi ug are more or less selfish in some things, and selfishness in the civilised is a survival of savagery. (Continued in our next Issue.)