Jan. 14, 1892.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



37 



POINTS AND FLUSHES. 



[From a Staff Correspondent.'] 



CHICAGO, 111., Jan. 9.— Considering: tbe importance of 

 the bench show which is to he held in connection with 

 the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, and tbe length 

 of time which has elapsed since the announcement that the 

 show would be one of the important features of that great 

 event, it is strange that so little information has been pub- 

 lished in respect to its purposes, details and progress, 'and 

 equally as strange that breeders and owners are apparently 

 so apathetic in the matter. 



1 had Yesterday the pleasure of meeting Mr.W. I. Buchanan, 

 Chief of the. Department of Agriculture, and he outlined to 

 me very fully the plans of the Department in arranging for 

 tbe show and conducting it. 



The chief consideration of the Department , one that will 

 transcend all others, is to have only does of pure blood en- 

 tered and exhibited. To attain this end, every precaution 

 will be taken to guard against the showing of dogs having 

 pedigrees which are doubtful, unknown, false or too short; 

 or dogs which, having pedigrees, are not possessed of s- nrii- 

 cieut race characteristics, such as type, coat, etc., to entitle 

 them to be classed as true representative specimens of their 

 breeds. To enforce this, it is the intention to have a com- 

 mittee appointed to pass on the individual eligibility of 

 each dog as a true specimen of the breed to which it be- 

 longs. 



This is really a wise precaution and a benefit to all con- 

 cerned, for it will elevate the character of the show far 

 above the average; it will enhance the value of a win; it will 

 establish confidence in the public at large in regard to the 

 superior quality and pure breeding of the animals shown, 

 and will be an assurance that it is not the purpose to show 

 dogs in large, numbers, regardless of true worth; it will be 

 a protection to those who are interested in new foreign 

 breeds; but who are not yet sufficiently informed as to the 

 correct types and peculiarities: hence it reduces the chances 

 of imposition to a minimum: it will be an assurance to 

 foreign exhibitors that they will have the very best of com- 

 petition and opportunity; and it will work no hardship 

 whatever to those who own well bred doss. 



Concerning the relations which will exist between the De- 

 partment and the American Kennel Club, there seems to be 

 a misunderstanding by the public, at large. The Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture will insist on some guarantee that 

 every animal, whether of dogs, cattle, horses, sbef p, swine, 

 etc.,' is pure bred, and in each instance the records, stud 

 boobs and registrations are specified, which will be recog- 

 nized as authoritttive; therefore there is no more required in 

 resp eet to dogs than is required of all other breeds. 



Dogs owned in the United States or Canada are eligible, 

 providing that each application for entry is accompanied by 

 a certificate, signed by the secretary of the American Ken- 

 nel Club, certifying that the dog entered has been registered 

 in the American Kennel Stud Book under two of the rules 

 of that club, namely: 



Where the sire and dam are already registered. 



When dogs possess an authenticated pedigree extending 

 back three generations. 



The certificates must contain the stud book number as- 

 signed to each dog. 



The rules governing foreign competitors is as follows: 



"Exhibitors of dogs owned outside of the United States 

 and Canada must furnish satisfactory evidence that such 

 dogs are recorded, or are eligible to record in some recognized 

 foreign stud book, in which purity of breeding is the basis 

 for registration." 



As to the fee charged by the American Kennel Club, the 

 Department of Agriculture is in no wise responsible arid, in 

 fact, has no voice. It simply demands an assurance from 

 tbe American Kennel Club as to the eligibility of dogs under 

 specified conditions; all else is between the exhibitor and the 

 American Kennel Club. 



Mr. Buchanau. however, said that he understood that the 

 American Kennel Club would ask 50 cents for a certificate 

 of registration, a fee which, for a number of reasons, is 

 exorbitant. 



Supposing that the show would have two thousand en- 

 tered dogs.it would cost the owners one thousand dollars 

 for certificates aloue, vouchers which would have no other 

 mission than to satisfy Mr. Buchanan that dogs owned in 

 the United States and Canada, are registered in tbe A. K. C. 

 Stud Book. It is a very easy matter for those interested to 

 figure the cost of printing the form for such certificates, the 

 time necessary to verify two thousand pedigrees, and the 

 time consumed in filling out a few blank spaces and append- 

 ing a signature two thousand times, and then compare the 

 results with the gross amount of possible receipts. 



I learned that some space even at this early day, was 

 claimed by exhibitors in the United States, and that there 

 were numerous inquiries f rom Europe in regard to space and 

 the general feature* and purposes of the bench show in con- 

 nection with the exposition, which is most encouraging at 

 this early stage of the enterprise. There is no doubt but 

 what it will be the greatest show ever held in America; in 

 fact, considering that the bulk of entries to all dog shows 

 are sent during the last days of closing the eutries, nothing 

 could be more encouraging than the interest now mani- 

 fested, a year and a half before the show. 



The Department desires the earnest support and coopera- 

 tion of the specialty clubs, which it probably will have be- 

 fore the show opens; but for the moral effect it will have on 

 all exhibitors, particularly the foreign interest, specialty 

 clubs should not postpone the publication of their intentions 

 to too late a date. The following communication was re- 

 ceived by the Department from Mr. Herbert Mead, secretary 

 of the American Mastiff Club, which will explain itself: 



"Our club is the owner of a number of silver cups and 

 medals, and some of our members are custodians of two 

 handsome cups which have been sent over to us by the Old 

 English Mastiff Club of England, and we desire to offer 

 all these as specials. Also discussing advisability of offer- 

 ing breeder's prize of $800." 



The Mascoutah Kennel Club's show is most promising; 

 indeed nothing could he more so, if a most liberal prize 

 list, cash specials, energy of trained, able officials and wide 

 and constant interest of | the public are aDy indications of 

 what constitutes the success of a show. 



Nothing could be more encouraging, or indicate more the 

 growth of dog interests in the West, than the fact that this 

 important club should be able to select a satisfactory list 

 of judges who reside or are identified with the West. It 

 denotes a transitional stage in the development of canine 

 interests which should receive the approbation of every 

 lover of a dog, since it denotes a constant widespread and 

 fixed growth. While it is most encouraging as it is at 

 present, it is only the beginning of the possibilities of the 

 vast Western country. 



In addition to the numerous cash specials already offered, 

 the Mascoutah Kennel Club has added this week S15 for the 

 best kennel of Chesapeake Bry dogs, not less than four, 

 owned by one exhibitor. The National Greyhound Club of 

 America offers club medal for best greyhound dog and bitch 

 respectively, test deerhound dog and bitch respectively, and 

 same for best Russian wolfhound dog and bitch. The Eng- 

 lish Setter Club offers American Field cup for best English 

 setter in show. 



I received a most interesting letter from a correspondent 

 to-day, the tenor of which indicates the misleading tenden- 

 cies of some of the ideas and discussions advanced by con 

 tributors to the sporting press. Referring to some recent 

 remarks published ne says: 



"I have, like many other sportsmen, spent a good deal of 



time and money trying to get a first-class 'plug-hunter.' and 

 have found it rather difficult. If the breeders and field trial 

 men are-trying to breed fast runners and not hunting dogs 

 it strikes me it would be fairer to start them on a good track 

 and have the thing fairly understood." 



Whatever may be the tendency of the times Forest and 

 Stream will keep its readers posted as to the proper form 

 of all field trial dogs and doggy matters. No breeder can 

 run a dog through on exaggerated or spurious qualities aud 

 achieve a reputation for him as a high class or first-class 

 field trial or superior hunting dog without the public know- 

 ing the true standing of his merits. 



1 note Mr. Tracy's minute and exhaustive explanation of 

 the circumstances connected with the heat between Antonio 

 and Maid of Kent at the Central Field Trial Club's late 

 trials, and I cannot forbear making a few comments on 

 ■what appears to me like false reasoning, on bis part, con 

 cerning matters which he says had weight with him in 

 reaching a. decision. This applies solely to his own explana- 

 tion. He says: 



"Fortunately the disability of Paul Bo gave Maid of Kent 

 a bye, and so made matters even between her and Antonio. 

 For the sake of complete equality we had Maid of Kent run 

 her bye heat under Mr. Penry also." 



Mr. Penry had charge of both dogs while running their 

 byes, but outside of tbat the equality ceases. Antonio ran 

 his bye on Wednesday, Maid of Kent ran hers on Friday, 

 and they ran the final on the following day, Saturday. 

 Wherein, concerning the bye, are "matters even between 

 her and Antonio"? 



Again he says: "Maid of Kent being a good retriever, her 

 handler shot and killed birds at every opportunity, she re- 

 trieving. No less than twelve were brought to bag in the 

 bye heat. The important rest afforded by this change from 

 galloping and searching was not overlooked by the judges, 

 and was thought to be something of an offset to Antonio's 

 advantages."" 



Concerning Mr. Penry, he says: "Mr. Penry, I will say, 

 has acted as steward at our trials for three years, and is a 

 very good handler in private, so there can be no question of 

 his competence." 



Here is a, most consistent collection of ideas: Mr. Penry 

 had charge of the bye, duly authorized by Mr. Tracy. Maid 

 of Kent was allowed to retrieve no less than twelve birds, 

 under the sanction of Mr, Penry. The rules required that a 

 dog should retrieve or suffer a penalty. Maid took time to 

 retrieve, which was implied from the fact that retrieving 

 was required; yet for taking this time, which Mr. Penry 

 sanctioned if he did uot order it, Mr. Tracy considers it off- 

 set some of Antonio's advantages. On the other band, con- 

 sidering that she had not been required fco retrieve at all, 

 sbe could have kept on "galloping and searching," and 

 might have fouud more bevies or single bitds. 



If the byes had been merely working heats to put the dogs 

 on an equality so far as time and effort are concerned, there 

 could not have been any possible objection to Mr. Penry 

 taking charge of them, but when these heats are a part of 

 the whole competition it is a question whether the judges 

 had any right to delegate their powers to another. Having 

 delegated their powers to another it was impossible to get 

 a full and correct understanding of tbe work from a mere 

 description by Mr. Penry, they not haviug seen it them- 

 selves. If the rule is good that tbe judges shall consider 

 the work done in previous heats, how could they consider it 

 if they bad not seen it? A decision based on mixed data, 

 observation and hearsay, is not the most positive imagina- 

 ble. 



In September, 1889. Col. Odell, the secretary of the Central 

 Field Trial Club, published a card in which he stated that 

 in the Free for All the heats would be four hours long, and 

 that aside from this condition the published rules would 

 govern. In that year and the following year, 1890, theclub's 

 advertisement of this stake mentioned that each heat would 

 be four hours. Neither the rules nor the advertisements 

 mentioned the length of heats of last year's Free for All, hut 

 in any event Mr. Tracy was in error in adopting any previ- 

 ous rules, since there was no authority tor it, and there 

 was some against it. 



No one understands, outside those who regularly attend 

 field trials, the complex nature of a field trial and the diffi- 

 culty in reaching accurate decisions, one after another. In 

 the spotting sj T stem, aside from the thorough knowledge a 

 judge must have of the details of field work and field trial 

 competition, he must ha ve a most excellent memory to recall 

 the performance of each dog and give it its proper relative 

 value. 



I wish to say right here tbat I think Mr. Tracy, with the 

 other judges, did excellently well, considering the decisions 

 as a whole. I simply endeavor to show wherein he has not 

 considered Ms data in its full bearings. 



One. thing more: I think Mr. Tracy has said that some 

 handlers train their dogs to "hie on" by a blast on the 

 whistle, thus deceiving the reporters, who think that the 

 handlers are endeavoring to turn or call in their dogs. I 

 would suggest to Mr. Tracy, in a remote kind of away7that 

 when a handler tells him such guileless tales as that in 

 future, he give him in return a brigh t sardonic smile, tell 

 him that such talk is good for beginuers, and mark a memo- 

 randum of a disobedient dog, B. Waters. 



BRUNSWICK FUR CLUB'S MEET. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The third annual meet of the Brunswick Fur Club will 

 be held at Brunswick. Me., commencing Feb 15, and con- 

 tinuing from one to two weeks. Arrangements have been 

 made with the Gurnet House to accommodate members and 

 hounds for a dollar a day. The Gurnet House is five miles 

 from the depot, and teams will be waiting at the station at 

 HP. M. on day of meet to convey members to the hotel. 

 Hunters arriving after that that time can easily secure 

 teams to take tbem out. 



Tbe annual election of officers will be held at 8 P. M. the 

 first day of meet, and hunting will begia on the following 

 morning. 



Foxes are reported to be very plentiful, and fox hunters 

 from all parts are invited to come and bring their hounds, 

 and participate in an old-time fox hunt. The absence of 

 snow and ice at this time makes excellent going for both 

 hunters and horruds. Prizes will be given for the first fox 

 killed, the largest, fox killed, and the greatest number of 

 foxes killed. 



The resident members of the club, always whole-souled in 

 their hospitality, may be counted upon 'to give all a royal 

 welcome. A. C. Heffenger* V.-P., B. F. C. 



PORTSMOUTH, N. g. 



DEATH OF BUCKELLEW.— Saratoga Springs, N. Y., 

 Jan. 5.— Editor Forest and, Stream: Old Buck el lew is 

 dead! Old Reliable is no more! He passed away at the 

 kennels, in Hoosick Falls, N. Y., on Dec. 28, 1891, of par- 

 alysis, accompanied by old age. having lived 13yrs. and 

 2mos. He was whelped Nov. 7, 1879, and sired by champiou 

 Druid out of Ruby. He died as he lived — in my possession. 

 I refused some very large money considerations for him, but 

 I gave my word to Mr. Connolly, now dead — one of the 

 best and truest men that ever stood in shoeleather— that I 

 would never sell him; and I am happy to say I kept my 

 trust with him. Aside from this the mere jingle of shekels 

 never entered um a factor to tempt me to part with him; and 

 I comfort myself in the knowledge that in his old ago he 

 passed these days in peace, plenty and comfort. May the 

 hands he has fallen in treat him no worse.— Washington 

 A. Coster. 



CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB RULES. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I cannot forbear sending you a line touching upon what 

 seems to me to be two very extraordinary rules adopted by 

 the executive committee of the Canadian Kennel Club at 

 its last meeting, held in Toronto on Dec. 18, 1891. 



The first of the rules referred to is to the effect that before 

 a dog can obtain the title of champion he must win three 

 first prizes in challenge classes, one of such prizes having to 

 be won at a show where there are at least 500 entries. The 

 implied intention of making such a rule as this is, tbat dog 

 shows generally may be boomed and large entries secured. 

 I fancy, however, that the true intent is to glorify the 

 Toronto show especially at the expense of smaller exhibi- 

 tions held elsewhere in the Dominion. By all means, let us 

 have as large entry lists as possible; but will any person tell 

 me what the number of dogs at a show has got to do with 

 the prizes won by a dog in his own particular class? 



Under this idiotic rule it is possible for one of the hottest 

 classes that ever faced a judge to be found at a show which 

 is not up to the staudard insisted on by the wise men of the 

 C. K. C, and really good dogs are, therefore, liable to fail in 

 gaining the distinction due to them. 



The other rule I refer to is, that hereafter English prize 

 wiuuers who have not before won. prizes in Canada may be 

 exhibited in the novice class. 



Here we are agaiD. What lofty wisdom; what excessive 

 care to foster the interests of breeders; what grand encour- 

 agement to bring forth young stock. Under this equally 

 idiotic rule a man may buy and import from England the 

 best known prize winners, dogs which stand head and 

 shoulders above all their fellows across the water, and can 

 enter them here in the novice class as unknown and untried 

 animals. What do your readers think of this for a rule? 

 and how long will the members of the C. K. C. allow such 

 rules as these to govern them ? 



I make no comments on the rules alluded to, because I fear 

 lest I should become uncomplimentary; but I hope that 

 others will take up this matter, and that we shall hear the 

 opinions in support, if possible, aud if not, in condemnation 

 of these absurdities. 



We have iu the Kennel Gazette a paper in Canada devoted 

 to the interest of the dog and his breeder. Unfortunately, 

 however, the editor of that paper, which is the official organ 

 of the C. K. C, is also secretary of that body, and I am 

 watching anxiously now to see whether, as the editor of the 

 Kennel Gazette, Mr. Donovan will smite these idiotic reso- 

 lutions hip and thigh, or whether he will feel himself bound 

 to support the committee through thick and thin because 

 he is its paid servant. A. D. Stewart, 



President Hamilton Kennel Club. 



Hamilton, Out., Jan. S. 



FIELD SPANIELS AND COCKER HEADS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



It will at once be admitted that spaniel breeders through- 

 out Canada and America differ as to the true type of head 

 of the cocker and field spaniel. It is in the interest of ail 

 that the question should be settled finally by those who are 

 best competent to judge. I was very much struck by a let- 

 ter written two weeks ago by Mr. C. H. Mason in which he 

 deprecates the criticisms of many so-called critics and calls 

 for the opinions of qualified judges, the men who take an 

 interest in dogs for the sake of the dogs themselves, and dog 

 breeders who breed for the advancement of the species and 

 who devote time and money to the question. For my own 

 part I am anxious to know whether I am right or wrong 

 in the position I have takeu with regard to the head of the 

 cocker spaniel and that of the field spaniel. I have never 

 discussed the question for my own advantage or for the pur- 

 pose of proving my opinion to be correct, bu t solely with tbe 

 view of arriving at the true type tbat I might breed to it 

 and that the best dog in every case might win. 



In order to show to every one tbat I am sincere in what I 

 say I now propose and strongly advocate a meeting of 

 judges, dog breeders, and all members of the Spaniel Club 

 at the coming New York show, at which the whole question 

 may be discussed and a proper type agreed upon, all classes 

 of dogs will be present and can be produced for the purposes 

 of illustration or as may be desired. 1 intend to have two 

 or three different types "on exhibition and should be glad to 

 give my views if called upon, and whatever type shall be 

 then agreed upon, will be my type for the future, and I 

 shall try in honest rivalry and competition to outstrip com- 

 petitors' as 1 have always endeavored to do iu the past. 



My only object in writing this letter is to endeavor to get 

 such a meeting as I speak of, have the matter properly dis- 

 cussed and threshed out, and the real true type of the 

 modern cocker spaniel and field spaniel fixed and agreed 

 upon, so as to avoid discussion in the future. I firmly 

 believe that all fanciers of dogs and breeders will assist in 

 this move. G. Bell. 



Toronto, Jan. 9. 



THAT IRONCLAD COURSING RULE. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



With all due respect to the opinion of Mr. Wade, whose 

 friendship for fair play no one who has read his many let- 

 ters to your journal would for a moment question, I con- 

 sider the coursing rule that punishes a man for riding over 

 a hound, even when enforced with "Draconian severity" as 

 eminently just, I think were I to ride over or collide with 

 an opponent's dog, would be glad to prove that it was an 

 accident by giving him the course. 



But it seems to me that the hound has, as it were, "right 

 of way," and tbe rule merely says (in effect) to owners: 

 "See all yoir can of the course, but keep off the dogs." The 

 hound has a right to go wherever the business of the course 

 calls him, and it would seem to make no material difference 

 in the penalty that should be enforced in case of collision, 

 whether the horseman overtook tbe dog or the latter crossed 

 the path of the horseman. L-. I. FLOWER. 



McDonald's Corner, N. B. 



DR. JARVIS BUYS BLUE ROCK. — Brueeville, Ind., 

 Jan. 3. — Editor Forest an d Stream: I have just sold to Dr. 

 Wm. Jarvis, of Claremont, N. H., the famous Irish setter 

 dog Blue Rock. He was imported last spring by George H. 

 Covert of Chicago, and after his failure was bougbt by the 

 writer. As a stud dog I consider he has no equal in Amer- 

 ica, in fact he is just what the Irish setter breeders are look- 

 ing for to cross with their Elcho bitches; he being of a dif- 

 ferent strain, and bred to some good bitches should produce 

 some fine fielders. He was placed iu my hands shortly after 

 his arrival in this country to be prepared for the trials. He 

 is thoroughly trained, as the reports will show, and no dog 

 has any license to beat him when in condition. He was 

 heavily handicapped at the trials, having caught cold from 

 the exposure to ttie night air after riding a long distance in 

 a hot baggage car and was slightly off in nose, but for all 

 this made several stylish points. He is a very wide, rapid 

 ranger, hunts his ground intelligently, has a merry tail ac- 

 tion, and above all carries a high head. He is a field trial 

 winner on the other side, also first prize bench show winner 

 at Birmingham. My bitch, Elcho's Maid, was bred to him 

 last month, and in 'S3 I hope to be able to show some Derbys 

 with red hair that compare favorably with other breeds,— 

 GEO. E, GK.vY. 



