Oct. 9, 1890.] 



FOREST AND STREAM, 



DOGS OF THE DAY. 



MR. B. H. MORRIS, in correcting a statement of Mr. Pe- 

 shall'sthat the pointer is a creation of the present cen- 

 tury, quotes some obituary poetry which appeared in the 

 Duhlin Magazine of December, 1787 . regarding a dog which 

 bad, singularly enough, been owned by Mr. Peshall's great- 

 grandfather, Sir John Pesba.ll. When I read tbis I thought I 

 would turn to the "Treatise on Field Diversions," from 

 which Ibave diawn before, and find out what the "staunch 

 sportsman" who bailed from Suffolk had to say regard- 

 ing pointers. For the benefit of those who did not read 

 the extracts previously given I will say that this work 

 was originally published in 1770, and was -"the result 

 of many years' experience with the dog, the net and 

 the gun." With regard to the pointer this little little 

 book takes us back to 1750 in the matter of personal 

 knowledge of the author, as will be seen by his open- 

 ing statement, which is as follows: "Tbis kind of dog 

 was introduced here iu thebeginuing of the present century, 

 and is acknowledged to be a native of Spain or Portugal, as 

 many were and yet are brought to us from both kingdoms. 

 The 'first I remember to have seen was about forty years 

 back. Black and white, heavy, slow, without any regularity 

 in beating, under no command, but a SATPBAX PoiXTEK." 

 The old fellow had a most thorough contempt for tbe 

 pointer. Perhaps, however, it was only a bit of the English- 

 man's usual way of speaking of anything foreign. Any 

 way he gives the pointer this black eye to start with: "The 

 most general import [importation] was in the liver and 

 white, especially mottled. They all fall under a parity of 

 description as to shape and performance; nor can nature be 

 much improved or assisted by art, as they have a ferocity of 

 temper which will not submit bo correction or discipline, 

 unless taken in hand very young. The activity of our mod- 

 ern race of pointers we are indebted for, I presume, to the 

 cross between the foreigner and our setter. The mixture in 

 this case was successful: as thereby we are furnished with a 

 strain that will act in a greater variety of capacities than 

 any other." It would be well to say here that the English 

 setter of that day was either a. spaniel, high on the leg, or a 

 cross between the English spaniel and the foxhound or 

 pointer. The name was given him because he set— down- 

 charged— when he found game and allowed the men to draw 

 tbe net over him until the birds were covered by it and thus 

 caught. The crosses with the foxhound in the composition 

 of the setter is spoken as probably arising from whim, but 

 such a cross is not mentioned iu regard to the improve- 

 ment of the pointer. But listen to this, ye members of the 

 Pointer Club: "The setter cannot be degraded into a pointer; 

 bub a pointer may be. elevated to a setter, though but of the 

 second class. * * * He answers the purpose in one sense, it is 

 certain: but by way of humble imitation at best. He in- 

 sults the finished fine setter by invading his province; and 

 admitting game enough may be taken at him it is the same 

 as challenging a delicate greyhound with a cream lurcher, 

 because he can kill as many hares." The pointer he ranks 

 ahead of the cocker (tne author calls him the springing 

 spaniel, the cocking or gtiu spaniel), and says he once had 

 a remarkable one, "as many gentlemen in the vicinity well 

 remember, who would stand for a gun at one bird, drop for 

 a net at another, and so on, as I thought tit. In covert be 

 would do the work of a brace of spaniels. Take him into 

 field directly, he was as clean and regular in his bunting 

 as if he had never acted in a lower character. This supports 

 my assertion of general utility. * * * There are many 

 pointers, which, by use, will stand woodcock very well. And 

 I kuew of one of a very eminent physician (Dr. Begsbye), 

 that, if she found in covert, unperceived, would give tongue 

 for discovery; and that, repeatedly, till she was relieved 

 from her point." 



In glancing over this old book again to get the foregoing 

 extracts, a thought occurred to me in connection to red 

 spaniels. Those interested iu this will remember that I re- 

 surrected the dormant subject by quoting a reference to a 

 breed of red cocker spaniels referred to by the author as 

 having been known in Suffolk early in the eighteenth cen- 

 tury. Now, when we take into consideration that we get 

 these reds from tbe Obo strain, and that Mr. Farrow who 

 brought what we may call the original Obos to the front 

 does not reside so very far from Suffolk, is it not within the 

 bounds of probability that he has a dash of that old strain, 

 and that our reds are but a reversion thereto ? Such a 

 theory is at least plausible. 



The difficulty in researches of this kind is that English 

 fanciers with but few exceptions take the slightest interest 

 in back pedigrees, and any attempt to get them to trace 

 back a pedigree is but love's labor lost. The one exception 

 to this rule that 1 know of is Mr. M. B. Wynn. 



Mr. Wade has sent me a copy of a communication respect- 

 ing a tall young mastiff we measured at New YorK dog 

 show in the spring of 188k He is right as usual, and it had 

 quite slipped my memory. I do not recall the measurement, 

 but I remember'he was very tall and Mr. Wade is sure to be 

 right. If I had any doubt upon tbe subject I would have 

 made an effort to get my marked catalogue for that year, 

 which is locked up with my household effects. The dog 

 was named Senator and was owned by Mr. Geo. L. Thomas, 

 of Albany. He was bred by Mr. John Ogden, of New York, 

 and was by Buff out of Nina. I fancy Mr. Wade is wrong- 

 regarding' the other "Jim," for Mr. Ogden and I were old 

 Atalanta Boat Club friends, and I would use his Christian 

 name, or rather the name his friends used, "Johnny," and 

 it was probably he that was taking so much interest in tbe 

 dog hp bred. I did think when I first read Mr. Wade's letter 

 that the third party might be the late W. B, Hill, of Al bany, 

 known to all old boating men as Billy Hill, but I now be- 

 lieve it must have been Mr. Ogden. That of course is aside 

 from the question of the height of Senator, I further re- 

 member tbat I was particularly anxious to have Senator at 

 the National Breeders' Show at Philadelphia iu October of 

 that year, and Mr. Thomas sent the dog, but unfortunately 

 Senator arrived tbe day after the judging. I have no dis- 

 tinct recollection of the dog as he was then, I had so many 

 other things to attend to at the time, but I have au impres- 

 sion that he had not improved much if at all, but was still 

 somewhat light in frame. 



The St. Bernard bitches Dart and Donna Silva arrived 

 from England last week by the Montana, direct to Philadel- 

 phia from London. I saw them on arrival and have since 

 been to tbe Swiss Mountain Kennels, at Gerinantown, to 

 take a second and a better look over them. Dart is the 

 taller of the two and is a very good colored bitch. Donna 

 Silva it would be hardly fair to criticise, as she arrived in 

 very low flesh and entirely out of coat. On a second inspec- 

 tion she showed much improvment in conoition, while in 

 the matter of coat there was also a change for the better. 

 She is not quite so tall as Dart, and is lighter in color and is 

 well-marked. 



I learn from a friend of Mr. Mitchell Harrison that some 

 of the Chestmtt Hill Kennels collies are going over to Eng- 

 land, which they are 1 have not had time to find out as yet. 

 Considering that it will be dull times here for nearly five 

 months, it is by no means a bad idea to let some of them 

 take a turn at the English shows. Mr. Harrison has become 

 very much interested in tbe breeding and development of 

 hunters, and has made a miniature steeplechase course on 

 the Roslyn Heights Farm. Indeed, so much is he taken up 

 with this, as well as his large and extensive business, that 

 I should not be surprised to learn that there will be more of 

 a chance for other collie owners than has fallen to their lot 



at the dog shows since the advent of Dublin Scot, Scotilla 

 and their successful kennel companions. 



Gen, Henry R. Mclvor has been paying a visit to the 

 Quaker City, and tells me he has sold his collie Brankie 

 (Metchley Wonder— Miss Charlemagne) to Mr. Smith, of 

 the Consolidated Gas Works, of New York. Gen. Mclvor 

 is very favorably impressed with the appearance of our 

 "drab" town, and from his world-wide experience he is in a 

 better position to give an opinion as is an opinion than 

 those who make Philadelphia an object for the perpetration 

 of jokes upon the rather quiet habits of its residents. Any- 

 how the General thinks Philadelphia ladies are extremely 

 charming, and uuless a war breaks out somewhere shortly 

 I will not be responsible for anything that may occur should 

 he remain much longer. 



The London Stock-Keeper, again throws down the gaunt- 

 let to American beagle owners, and challenges any one to 

 send over some specimens to compete against the pick of 

 the English division, to be shown under a hound judge. If 

 any one cares to accept this defi I would suggest that they 

 ask for Mr. Harding Cox to act as judge. Such a sugges- 

 tion will be in every way satisfactory to the English divi- 

 sion, and Mr. Cox is not only a hound man, but a dog man 

 as well and has frequently officiated at leading shows. 

 Such a test would be very interesting and would assist 

 materially in straightening out the question of type in 

 beagles. If we have been going wrong it is time our breed- 

 ers were advised of their error and set about correcting 

 their mistakes. In case such a match is likely to be made 

 it would be well to place the matter in the hands of a com- 

 mittee with power to select say two couple of the best we 

 have and send them to the care of some person in England 

 to put in competition. There would be some expense at- 

 tached to all this, but there are surely sufficient fanciers 

 willing to chip in toward a fund of say §100, which would 

 cover all cost of the trip, I think. The dogs could be sent 

 over for 810 each or 880 the round trip, perhaps less if sent 

 and returned by the same line. Count me as a subscriber 

 to the fund if the match is made. 



The match between the Pittsburgh owned Russian-what- 

 is-its, generally called wolfhounds, and the Hon. Mrs. 

 Wellesley's Krilutt is in a fair way for decision now. The 

 Pittsburgh dogs have arrived in London from Russia, ac- 

 cording to the latest advices. 



All dog men know how jealous dogs are, but I was told 

 the other day of a case of a horse showing singular jealousy 

 of a dog. The narrator of the story occasionally iudulges in 

 horse-back exercise, and naturally takes with him at such 

 time an Irish setter. The setter, as is the manner of clogs, 

 would run on ahead, and my friend noticed that when it did 

 so the horse began pulling and showing evident desire for a 

 race, so one day, his horse being more demonstrative than 

 usual, he let him go. The dog was then some thirty yards 

 ahead on a straight road, and when the horse started on the 

 run, off went the dog, too. For a time their relative posi- 

 tions were kept, and then the horse gradually began gaining. 

 At last he got past the dog, and as soon as he did so he 

 turned slightly and let fly his heels in the direction of the 

 dog, as much as to say, "There, I beat you," and resumed his 

 usual canter. J. W. 



DOG CHAT. 



MR. JAMES MORTIMEB, tells us that he has made up 

 his mind to sell all his fox-terriers, as he finds his time 

 so completely taken up with his duties as superintendent of 

 the W. K. C. that he cannot .give theattention aud exhibiting 

 at shows they ought to have. There are eighteen altogether, 

 nearly all of which are fit for the bench. Included in this 

 lot arefsuch well known cracks as the smooths Suffolk Bisk, 

 Suffolk Rarity, and Suffolks Toby, Settler, and Vixen, wire 

 hairs, altogether such a collection of this breed as has never 

 been offered before in this country. 



Here is a pretty little yarn fi om Longman's: "The New- 

 foundland dog is a particular favorite of mine. He is the 

 most magnanimous fellow in the world, and small dogs may 

 insult him with impunity unless a river happens to be near, 

 when one too venturesome and impudent will sometimes ex- 

 perience an involuntary bath. On one occasion, lately, a par- 

 ticularly fine one was sitting on a wooden bridge discussing 

 a bone, when a predatory mastiff came along, and being un- 

 able or unwilling to distinguish between meum et tuum, a 

 smart altercation arose. So violent became the debate that 

 both suddenly overbalanced and fell into the stream beneath. 

 The nearest 'landing place was a hundred yards down, and 

 to it the Newfoundland betook himself without much diffi- 

 culty, and after a good shake was preparing to depart, when 

 he suddenly became aware that the other dog who was more 

 of a soldier than a sailor, was wildly beating the water, and 

 drowning as fast as he could drown. One look was enough. 

 In went he of the shaggy coat, and seizing the other by 

 the collar, brought his late enemy safe to land. The two 

 dogs then eyed each other with a perfectly indescribable ex- 

 pression for some seconds, then silently and solemnly 

 wagged their caudal appendages, and with dignity departed. 

 Some will, no doubt, say that this was but instinct; and they 

 may be right, but I prefer to give my four-footed friend the 

 benefit of the doubt," 



Last week we spoke of the receipt of several Crystal 

 Palace catalogues, and as it is the finest production of the 

 kind we have seen, we have forwarded a copy to each of our 

 principal kennel clubs as a guide for future efforts in this 

 direction. Judging from several letters we have received 

 from well known "exhibitors and breeders, they are very 

 much interested in the "Breeders' Competition" and asking 

 us for further particulars, and whether such competitions 

 could not be inaugurated here by our principal clubs. For 

 the benefit of our readers, we give the conditions under 

 which this competition is held: 



" The prizes in these classes are awarded to the breeders 

 obtaining the largest number of points with dogs bred by 

 themselves, irrespective of whether the exhibits are their 

 own property or not. Tbe dogs must be entered in their 

 proper classes, and points are awarded as under to those 

 winning prizes or receiving commendation in such classes. 

 In the event of a dog entered in two classes, winning prizes 

 or receiving commendations in both, the highest award only 

 counts toward this competition. Breeders are not required 

 to nominate the dogs bred by them, as this will be ascer- 

 tained from the catalogue, but it will be to their interest to 

 induce any of their friends owning such dogs to enter them, 

 so that their chance of winning tbe prize may be increased. 

 Prizes in stud dog and novice classes do not count. 



CHALLENGE CLASSES. 



First prize 64 points. 



Second prize, if there be one, otherwise the reserve.32 points. 

 Third prize, if there be one, otherwise the reserve. 16 points. 



Reserve if there be second and third prizes 8 points. 



OPES AND JUNIOK CLASSES. 



First prize 64 points. 



Second prize 32 points. 



Third prize 16 points. 



Fourth prize 13 points. 



Reserve. 8 points. 



Vhe 4 points. 



]j c 'i 2 points. 



Commended ■ ••- 1 point." 



The junior classes mentioned above are for dogs not over 



eighteen months old up to the time the show opens. This 

 is a move in the right direction toward stopping the show- 

 ing of very young dogs, as there are not many men who will 

 show anything eight or ten months old against practically 

 fully developed dogs, as most breeds are at this limit of age. 

 We sincerely wish our W. K. C. would adopt this measure, 

 for we are pretty well sure any financial loss by a falling off 

 of entries would be compensated by the general health and 

 safety of the other dogs exhibited, they earning at the same 

 time the thanks of the kennel community. Speaking of this 

 reminds us of the letter in another part of this issue calling 

 the attention of the Collie Club to the fact of their baving 

 the club stakes held at public shows after the sad experi- 

 ence of some of the members after last year's show at New 

 York. If we are ever to take rank as breeders of winning 

 stock, and of such as we ought to breed with the material 

 our breeders now have in most important breeds, something 

 must be done in this direction, Ottawa got along very well 

 without puppies, and why cannot the larger shows do the 

 same? We did not hear of any distemper after the pleasant- 

 little reunion at Rahway last year. 



While we are on the subject of this Crystal Palace cata- 

 logue we might mention the "team" classes. These con- 

 sist of three exhibits of any one breed or variety, the property 

 of the same exhibitor; tbe exhibitor furnishing at the time 

 he makes his entry particulars of the exhibits of which his 

 team is to consist, for which separate forms are supplied. 

 The team, of course, must be composed of dogs already en- 

 tered in the regular classes. The prizes given are three in 

 number— first, second and third— for teams in sporting dogs 

 and bitches; non-sporting dogs and bitches; terriers, dogs 

 and bitches (Yorkshire and other toy terriers excepted); 

 pugs, Yorkshire and other toy terriers, dogs and bitches. 

 These suggestions are made for the benefit of our three 

 principal shows— W. K. C, Boston and Chicago. 



We received a pleasant visit from Mr. Geo. H. Bush, 

 president of the Buffalo Kennel Club, on Tuesday last. He 

 talks mysteriously of two cocker puppies, one especially, by 

 Jersey out of Novel, he calculates upon to lay some of them 

 very "low" next year. 



In view of the splendid record made at London by Mr. 

 Blake's whippet Benbow, and the claim for a world's record 

 of 12% seconds for 200yds., we have been looking up past 

 records made by these dogs and find on referring to Canine 

 World of June 20, that at the monthly whippet spring 

 handicap for stakes of S125, held at Manchester, England, 

 June 14, a dog called Fred, owned by a Mr. A. Fletcher and 

 weighing 115-|lbs., ran tbe 200yds. in 12% seconds, beating 

 279 opponents. This time was then claimed as a best on 

 record. This shows what a meritorious performance Ben- 

 bow made. At the same time, before this can be accepted 

 as a record, we would like to have the weight and. height of 

 Benbow, as that may have something to do with it according 

 to the rules. A r*ace with 279 entries shows the vast propor- 

 tions to which this sport has attained iu some parts of Eng- 

 land. Mr. Mercer, of Ottawa, owns a very fast small grey- 

 hound bitch, and although a special prize was put up at 

 the Ottawa show for a race, the presence of this bitch seemed 

 to frighten the others and the race was declared off. Dr. 

 Mill's Elcho being the only other entry. There is talk of 

 getting some jack rabbits up there and having a little cours- 

 ing. If they wish some hares we believe they can be had 

 from Mr. Allison, of the National Coursing Club, Hutchin- 

 son, Kan., at a reasonable figure. 



We hear that the two Russian wolfhounds whicb were 

 purchased by Mr. Rousseau for Mr. Hencke, of Pittsburgh, 

 bave at last arrived in England, the bitch being quite heavy 

 in whelp. They are to meet the Hon. Mrs. Wellesley's crack, 

 champion Krilutt, at Crystal Palace on the 28th of this 

 month. At the same time it is reported that Krilutt has 

 skin disease, but it is to be hoped, that he will be got in 

 shape for this competition, which has excited the interest of 

 dog men on both continents: for upon this rests a good deal 

 of the question as to what constitutes the proper type of a 

 "Barzoi." 



It is stated in one of the English papers that there is a 

 gentleman from Detroit purchasing some dogs for this 

 country. Detroit is becoming quite a doggy town, and 

 among the new fanciers is young Mr. Hendrie, whose fancy 

 seems to turn to terriei-s of the "wire" persuasion. 



In our "Answers to Correspondents" column will be found 

 a query as to the best time for the new Hamilton Kennel 

 Club to hold a show. We appreciate the anxiety of a new 

 club to burn its fingers by holding a show coftte que cotitc, 

 but perhaps we can offer a little advice which may enable 

 them to round the point of their first show in safety. Dur- 

 ing the exhibitions recently held iu Canada there were 

 several opinions expressed that Hamilton would be a good 

 locale for a show, and the suggestion was made that Canada 

 should have a fall circuit which should include Toronto, 

 London, Hamilton, Ottawa and Montreal. In September 

 the weather in Canada is more agreeable for dog shows than 

 it is as a rule in the States, and for that reason it was sug- 

 gested that the States' shows should, most of them, be held 

 in the spring, and then with a circuit in Canada in the fall 

 the difficulty of showing dogs in very hot weather would be 

 overcome, for we are sure the weather experienced in Can- 

 ada during the past month could not have been improved 

 upon. In Ottawa during show week it was positively cold, 

 therefore owners of the big dogs need not have any fear of 

 exhibiting at these places during that month. We say to 

 Hamilton, wait by all means till next fall, and running in 

 your show say after London, you can expect- a good entry 

 and a rousing welcome, to the fraternity. 



In a letter from England we are informed of an important 

 importation of black and tan terriers, which will shortly 

 start for this country. Mr. Comstock, of Providence, R. I., 

 either the Irish terrier owner or his brother, has purchased 

 from Mr. Lacy, Middleton, Eng., his Salisbury, Jasper, 

 Louie and Queen HI. Salisbury and Jasper are both good 

 winners, and Queen HI., we are told, was bred and raised by 

 the man who bred Queen II., who won for Mr. Lacy §3,000 

 in money and 83 cups, and this man says she can beat Rosa- 

 bel, so we shall expect to see something pretty smart, if she 

 only turns out half as good as "old Queen." We are pressed 

 for space this week, but will have more to say about these 

 dogs in our next issue. There is one thing about it, judging 

 from press notices, Mr. Comstock will not be disappointed 

 in the dogs at any rate. Who says black and tan terriers are 

 not the coming breed '; "Cheerful Horn" tells us that the 

 King Charles Royal Duke is on his way to this country, 

 having been purchased by a gentleman in Milwaukee, whom 

 he puts down as a Mr. Niemann. The sum paid for this 

 spaniel was S250. 



The noted bull bitch Kitty Cole is dead. She died giving 

 birth to a litter of pups, by His Lordship. Kitty Cole 

 was by Don Pedro out or Pansy Lass, and when we say that 

 she had won the Bulldog Club challenge cup four times, it 

 will be inferred that there were not many her superior. 



In our report of the London show we made two or three 

 mistakes, but. as we took our awards from the secretary's 

 catalogue and judges' books we are hardly to blame. Mr. 

 W. B. Wells's Matane was second in English setters, open 

 dogs, and his Cambriana first iu bitches. Blemton Battier 

 in fox-terriers should read Blemton Brawler, and Mr, Wash- 



