SPORTING CHAMPIONS IN COMPETITION. 
THE WINNER ON THE BOARD 1S CH. HIGH LEGH 
BLARNEY. 
CHAPTER LXxXIll. 
THE LADIES’ 
KENNEL ASSOCIATION 
(INCORPORATED). 
BY MRS. H. AYLMER. 
“T see you ave fond of dogs, sir. 
UTRES temps, autres meoeurs.— 
When, in 1862, three years after 
the first dog show on record took 
place, the names of two ladies, the Hon. 
Mrs. Colville and Mrs. Burke, appeared 
among the prize winners at Birmingham, 
there was probably the usual outcry heard 
whenever women strike out a fresh line. 
As time went on, however, a few other 
ladies had the courage of their convictions, 
and joined in placing their dogs in public 
competition; but it was not till 1869 that 
the custom met with much approval. That 
year was a memorable one in the annals of 
women exhibitors, as Her Majesty Queen 
Alexandra, then Princess of Wales, set the 
seal to fashion when, at a show held in 
Laycock’s Cattle Sheds, Islington, her 
Mastiff, Duchess, was second in its class, 
and was officially described as “the best 
ever exhibited,” and when her two Borzois 
took first and second prizes in the class for 
foreign dogs. 
In 1870, at the second show held under 
the auspices of what, three years later, 
became the Kennel Club, a special prize 
was offered for the best dog owned by a 
So am I.’—Mr. JINGLE. 
lady, and was won by Miss Hales with a 
Mastiff named Lion. 
Prejudice is difficult to overcome, and, 
in spite of the Royal example, it was not 
until 1895 that the dog world awoke to the 
fact that women, who had so long been 
interested spectators, meant to take a more 
active part in the play. 
The first Ladies’ Kennel Association was 
formed with a long list of vice-presidents, 
reading almost like an extract from Burke, 
and her Majesty graciously consented to 
become patron. Under the association’s 
fostering wing shows were held from time 
to time at Ranelagh, Holland House, 
Earl’s Court, and the Botanical Gardens. 
After many ups and downs the associa- 
tion was voluntarily dissolved in order 
tu make place for a new incorporated 
association, the members of which run no 
risks beyond their subscription and tos. 6d. 
When, in 1903, the financial affairs of the 
old association could no longer be ignored, 
the committee was reorganised, and con- 
sisted of the Countess of Aberdeen (chair- 
man), the Lady Evelyn Ewart, Lady 
Gordon Cathcart, Lady Reid, Mrs. Preston 
