176 British Dogs. 



approximate estimate of the outlay may be made, much of the income 

 depends on counter attractions simultaneously offering themselves, and 

 also on that most uncertain of all things in this country, the weather. 

 It is quite clear, then, that promoters run a risk. It is also clear 

 enough that the money to be won by an exhibitor is nothing equal to 

 the outlay the cost of purchase, preparing for and exhibiting, being so 

 great that only occasionally is even the last item of expense covered by 

 the prize money. The profit, however, is got in another way. The 

 astute exhibitor knows that the prizes carry a higher remuneration than 

 the mere money value. They raise the prestige of his kennel, and bring 

 grist to the mill in the shape of stud fees and immensely enhanced 

 prices for his stock. 



Of course there are hundreds of exhibitors with whom dog showing is so 

 purely a hobby, that they seek for the honour alone ; but no matter with 

 which of these views the pursuit is followed, the object sought is of equal 

 value (for Kudos is to the one equal to cash to the other) and every means 

 possible should be taken to insure the end being gained in a fair field with 

 no favour and by merit alone. It is my object to inquire whether the 

 present methods of arriving at the results all should aim at, and all 

 profess to desire, are the best possible and practicable, and to do so it ia 

 necessary to consider the various sections of the subject and those features 

 in the present system which most frequently give rise to complaint and 

 controversy. To this end we must review, in a general way, the con- 

 stitution and arrangement of dog shows, the election of judges, the 

 means and manner of judging, and other questions bearing on the very 

 important object of all the machinery of dog shows the selection of the 

 best dog for the highest honours. 



These embrace the often discussed questions of public versus private 

 judging, single-handed, by two or more judges, the use by the judge 

 of a catalogue, owners leading the dogs out, the system of electing 

 judges, and judging by points, to the consideration of which I shall now 

 proceed. 



