The History of Dog Shows. 175 



The Messrs. Jennings, of Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester, followed the 

 same year, and continued to hold shows in their gardens at intervals up 

 to 1875 ; but, I presume, finding they failed to pay, like prudent men of 

 business, dropped them. The great increase in the number of shows held 

 is, however, due to their being made adjuncts to the attractions of 

 agricultural shows, for not one in fifty is strong enough to stand alone, 

 whereas, as an addition to a show of live stock in general, they 

 undoubtedly draw and add to the good of the whole. 



In the metropolis dog shows are on quite a different footing, and, as 

 far as visitors go, must depend on their own attractions ; and the average 

 Londoner is equally careless about and ignorant of all live stock. Hence 

 the necessity that such shows in London should be under the fostering 

 care of a rich society. 



The Kennel Club occupy this position, and since their first show at the 

 Crystal Palace we have had yearly, and even twice a year, in London, 

 shows which, if not unequalled and on the whole I think they have 

 been have not been excelled by any in the kingdom, but I should 

 be quite prepared to hear the Americans claiming superiority. The 

 general management of the Kennel Club shows is unexceptionable; in 

 Mr. George Lowe we have a secretary as courteous as he is capable ; and 

 under the able management of Mr. John Douglas mistakes are reduced to 

 a minimum. Having thus very briefly, and in outline only, sketched the 

 history of dog shows, I would presently direct attention to their objects 

 and management. 



Dog shows have grown to an extent of which their founders had pro- 

 bably no anticipation. It will be well within the limit if I say there is 

 now an average of two a week the year round in this country ; and if 

 we take the average of the prize money offered as .200, we have over 

 .20,000 of money to be competed for in the course of the year ; and 

 if we average the number of entries at 200, at each show costing in 

 entry fees and carriage 1, the prize money offered would exactly cover 

 these expenses; but not more than one-third reaches the committees 

 in shape of the entrance fees, the railway companies and others absorbing 

 the rest, so that the prize money, after all, has to be made up from 

 the general public in the shape of gate money and by private subscrip- 

 tion. There is always, therefore, considerable monetary risk to the 

 promoters, as in every speculative business ; for, although a fairly 



