62 The Dog Book 



been wrecked by offering an extended prize-list than from any other cause. 

 Not all cities can repeat the New York prize-list, for it has a five-dollar 

 entry fee and an admission charge of a dollar — which turns more money 

 into the treasury in one day than many shows take in during an entire week. 

 Because Smithport has an entry of twenty dachshunds, do not imagine that 

 Blankville can give seven or eight classes for that breed. That show will 

 likely get dogs enough to take every firs prize and only receive one entry- 

 fee per class, losing perhaps forty dollars on the breed. 



What is wanted is a classification warranted by the run of dogs in the 

 section of the country from which the main bulk of the entry is to be looked 

 for. It is not necessary to cater entirely to the professional handler, who 

 will threaten not to make an entry unless his dogs are specially provided 

 for, nor is it essential to pay them for bringing dogs; to say nothing of its 

 being eminently unfair to other people. The professional handler is a neces- 

 sity to the owner who cannot attend in person, but he is not so in any way 

 to the show managers. Some of them make demands which should never 

 be considered for a moment. Successful local owners bring in more money 

 at the gate than "foreigners" or circuit-chasers. 



Where there is poor prospect of entries for certain breeds, either put 

 one or two affiliated breeds together or drop them and let the miscellaneous 

 class suffice. A committee can throw more money away in five minutes* 

 work at the premium-list than makes the difference between a paying and 

 a losing show, so be careful to be liberal only where there is every good pros- 

 pect of support. A clause stating that where any class is guaranteed such 

 class will be opened, or if but one class for dogs and bitches is given, that a 

 division will be made if a certain number of each sex is entered covers the 

 ground fully, and no would-be exhibitor can then reasonably complain of a 

 small prize-list. 



It must be strongly impressed upon committeemen, secretary and super- 

 intendent that they should make themselves thoroughly familiar with the 

 requirements of the American Kennel Club, if they are members of that 

 club. There are not many things to look out for, but they involve fines if 

 overlooked. 



A great deal of time and labour can be wasted in office work, and I knew 

 that when I undertook to manage a show at Philadelphia in 1884. The 

 plan I then adopted was also carried out when I had charge of shows for 

 the Keystone and Philadelphia Kennel Clubs, and as I wanted no exclusive 



