Some Famous Bitches. 55 



Walker were the judges, was then said to be about twelve 

 months old, so that the stud book is in error where it 

 states that she was born in 1869. Mr. Henry Calf, of 

 Devizes, showed her, and thought so little of his bitch as 

 to catalogue her at five guineas. I need scarcely say she 

 did not obtain even a commendation, nor her sister Venom 

 either, who was entered by their breeder, Mr. H. Chaworth 

 Musters, at the same time. Fussy caught the eye of Mr. 

 Sarsfield, who speedily became her owner for the sum 

 already alluded to, and a great prize he thus obtained. In 

 the following year Fussy commenced her successful career 

 in the provinces, and, reappearing at Curzon Hall in 1870, 

 was placed first in a strong champion class of eight, which 

 included Mr. Pilgrim's Gem, who had been third the 

 previous year. Mr. F. Sale, however, with his good, 

 strong-backed bitch Myrtle, beat the Durham entry for the 

 cup. It may be stated here that a daughter of the latter, 

 Patch (Mr. Procter's), then but nine months old, was 

 exhibited in the open class unsuccessfully, but in 1871 the 

 tables were turned, for Patch came first in the open 

 division ; once more was her dam at the head of the 

 champions, but, still unfortunate, was placed behind the 

 writer's Mac II. for the " blue ribbon " of the show, the 

 valued champion cup. Mr. Sarsfield's favourite again 

 won in 1872, but the following year Patch was beaten by 

 Myrtle, then five years old, but wearing well. In addition 

 to the above honours, Fussy won many others, and proved 

 extraordinarily successful for breeding purposes too, 

 for Mr. Gibson's Vexer a bitch rather short in head, but 

 very good indeed in other respects w r as own sister to 

 Patch, the dam and her two handsome daughters forming 

 a trio that would be difficult to beat even to-day. The 



