these might be asked to judge, with advantage to both the dogs 

 and their owners. 



The hardest class to judge at any show, and the ones from 

 which the vast bulk of kicking comes, are those where the Bos- 

 ton Terrier competes for bench honors. At a first glance the 

 conditions that exist in these classes seems to be the outcome 

 of the vast popularity of the breed, which always guarantees 

 good large classes. While, of course, this is a factor in the dis- 

 satisfaction that runs riot among Boston Terrier exhibitors, 

 there are other features that should not be overlooked. It is a 

 very regretable, but, nevertheless, true, fact, that the Boston 

 fancy is the most materialistic one in the entire game. Nine out 

 of ten of the breeders of the "American dog" are in the fancy 

 not for sport, but for the money that there is in it. Of course, 

 there is nothing criminal in being a breeder of dogs for the money 

 that is to be made out of the sport, nor does this stamp a man as 

 dishonest; but it does tend to cause kicking over judges' deci- 

 sions. This is but natural, for if your dog is thrown down he 

 loses in value, and to those who are continually trying to sell 

 their dogs at as high prices as possible, it is a considerable blow. 

 The Boston Terrier people feel that each peg lower their dog is 

 placed in the prize list is just so much money out of their 

 pockets, and, naturally, they complain. 



This very materialistic view of their dogs has other bad 

 effects upon the Boston Terrier fancy and is conducive to many 

 little "tricks" that are certainly, to put it in its mildest form, a 

 little bit off color. There are many in the fancy who would 

 scorn to deal in any but the most upright manner, but there are 

 also many who do not scruple to resort to shady methods to 

 make a sale. As is always the case, the just suffer with the evil, 

 and unless there are some very radical changes the men who 

 are supposed to have the best interests of this most desirable 

 little dog at heart will kill the breed. 



The diversity in opinion as to just the correct thing in Boston 

 Terriers is another question that causes considerable complaint. 

 The standard is notorious as not being all that it should, and 

 really the dog as defined in this would not stand the ghost of a 

 chance on the bench, even under those who are continually call- 

 ing out "Stick to the standard." The youth of the breed is also 

 another element that makes judging difficult, for the whole of 

 the Boston Terrier fancy is in a growing stage and nothing is 

 settled. There are several other features which, in a way, seem 



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