Introduction 3 



long and successful connection with dogs, refined and genial in 

 temperament, well able to express and support their opinions on 

 any subjects brought before them. 



I think these newly elected officers are well calculated to main- 

 tain the position of the Kennel Club as the leading organisation of 

 the Doggy World, well supported as they are by a strong committee 

 of breeders and fanciers of good standing and influence. 



I hope to give portraits and slight sketches of some of these, 

 well known amongst Doggy People. At the risk of coming under 

 Mr. Scrooge's definition of "flowery,"'' I have ventured to say 

 these few words about the Kennel Club, a body with whom I 

 have during a long term of years in fact, ever since its foundation 

 been much brought into contact, having so often been asked to 

 judge at their shows, and take part in the pleasant gatherings of 

 the lights of the Doggy World held in connection therewith. 



Many of. the present-day exhibitors, having no idea of the 

 state of affairs before the Kennel Club was created, do not duly 

 or fully appreciate how much all Doggy People are indebted to 

 its efforts ; I wish, therefore, to record my humble opinion on the 

 matter, in which I believe I but express the views of the majority 

 of the better class of exhibitors. 



I may here mention, what is perhaps hardly credible in these 

 days, that I have been informed, on undeniable authority, it was 

 formerly not uncommon in some breeds, where the dogs were 

 much alike, for a good specimen to be shown, say, on Tuesday, 

 taken out that night, of course a substitute brought in on the 

 Wednesday morning, shown again somewhere else on the 

 Wednesday, and on some occasions, where dates and distances 

 permitted, at two or more shows during the week, either no 

 name or pedigree being given, or a different name at each show, 

 and, the same owner having a number of dogs of the same 

 colour, " the changes were rung " to suit the circumstances of 

 the case ! 



In those days, too, it was not safe to claim a dog at a show 

 unless you had some positive means of identification, or you 

 were more than likely to find a very inferior animal in its place 

 at the end of the show ! 



Lending and borrowing dogs were everyday occurrences, and 

 if an exhibitor found a dog entered (as the questions of age, 

 colour, name, and even sex, were treated in the most free-and- 

 easy manner!) was not very "fit" or in good form when the 



