The Express.
London, England, 1863-05-26 00:00:00

THE INTERNATIONAL DOG SHOW.

While Iblington was yet a "town," and distinct
from London by the interposition of green fields, it
Dad a character for dogs. Goldsmith, who may be
omoddered t guide, philosopher, and friend on the
subject of natural history in which department of
acirucr he wrote one of the pleasantest, if not the
po.toundest, of worts, has informed the world that
Islington was in some sort native to famous dogs,
for in it wine to be

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Both meagre', peppy, whelp, sad bound,
And curs of low degree
But although an imaginative as well as a de-
scriptive writer, lie could hardly have contemplated
the reputation that this locality was to have ac-
quired lAN the place of dogs, and that in addition
to its own varieties of brood, it would not only give
shelter to, but invite the presence of dogs from all
parts of the world.
The show itself is perhaps the largest of the kind
that has ever been held, there being no fewer than
1,1,78 specimens, divided into 66 classes, coni-1
prising dogs of every contour, colour, and charac-
ter, and of all sues, from the lion mastiffs
to the tiniest toy-dogs. It is separated into
two great divisions—the first comprising "dogs
used in field sports," and the second those not
used in field sports." In the first division there
are 803 specimens, and in the second 875, so that
both sections are in number pretty much alike.
This distinction is further carried out by devoting
almost the entire area of the basement to the
sporting digs, and the galleries to the non-sporting
dogs. The dogs are for the most part placed on
open platforms extending the whole length of the
ball, so that they can be viewed with the greatest
ease and convenience. As there is no country in
the world where the sports cf the field are so
eagerly and generally pursued as England, the
finest specimens of foxhounds, stsghounds,barriers,
beagles, greyhounds, otter hounds, deer hounds,
pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels, may bel
seen here. The class of deer hounds is remarkably
good this year, the first prize being carried away by
Oscar, a two-year-old dog, exhibited by Mr. Bridge,
of Sandpit, Windsor-park, and having a price of
1,0001. attached to his neck. The second prize in
this class was awarded to the Earl of Stamford and
Warrington for Bran, aged 1 year and 10 months.
This fine dog is valued by its owner at 1,0001. The
noble earl has also been successful in the class of
deerhound bitches, Brenda, the mother of Bran,
for which his lordship gave 1501., coming in for
second prize, the first being awarded to Sir G. Gore
for Flora.
Conspicuous amongst the sporting dogs are 19
couple of the Duke of Beaufort's hounds, in a
spacious kennel in the centre of the hall. It would
be almost impossible to surpass these animals as
types of canine beauty. Mr. Barnett, of Stratton- I
park, Biggleswade, is the winner of two first prizes,
and the second prize in different classes of fox-
hounds. Lord Fitzbardinge and Mr. Colmore, of
Moor-end, near Cheltenham; are also successful
competitors in other classes.
There is a fair show of harriers. The most con-
spicuous exhibitor here is his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, who competes in Class 5 for the
" beet three couple of hounds from a pack having
bunted last season, and not exceeding 20 inches in
height. There are eight competitors against his
royal highness, and amongst them are Earl Brown-
low, Mr. Colyer, Mr. Race, ho., who exhibit some
fine specimens of harriers.
The show of " pointers " is admitted to be
one of the finest and most nu nerd s v r xbibited,
and the large clew of persons who take an interest
in this species of game dog will find ample material
for praise and wonder.
Class 14, comprising greyhound dogs (champion
class), is limited in number, there being only six
exhibits; but the prize dog " Seafoam," belonging
to Mr. Spinks, is a perfect gem. For form, sleek-
sum, proportion, and colour nothing can surpass this
animal. Its prtoe is set down at 5001. Mr. Green's
Gipsy Queen is the winner of the Ist prize in the
elms of greyhound bitches, and his Great Eastern,
brother to Gimpy Queen, is the winner of the
Ist prize in class 16 (dogs not eligible for champion
class), while Mr. Rice of Stockwell, comes in se-
cond with Carrara. Mr. Purser and the Earl of
Craven are the prizebolders in class 17 (greyhound
bitches not eligible for champion clam). Mr.
Hatchett, of Hounalow, and Mr. Gardner, of Cam-
bridge, are the successful competitors in clam 18
(beet brace of saplings born after January, 1862).
It may be said of the whole of this division of
the show that it is calculated to give satisfaction to
those who are interested in the art of venery.
The second division comprises sheep dogs, 111111.
tiffs, Mount St. Bernardo, Newfoundlands, bull-
dogs, ball terriers, white smooth-haired terriers,
black and tan terriers, Skye terriers, Dandy Din-
snouts, Italian greyhounds, King Charles spaniels,
Blenheim spaniels, and English toy terriers.
Besides these there are classes for British and
foreign lapdogs, monster dogs of any kind, for the
smallest well-chapped and healthy dogs, and for
i other fancy poodles, pup, Pomeranian,
Dalmatian, Chinese, Japanese, Esquimau:, Mal-
tese, Stlioian, Australian, Brazilian, Greek, and
Manilla dogs. The galleries are entirely devoted
to this division, and no doubt this will prove the
most popular section of the Exhibition. Most of
the dogs in this division are exhibited on unim-
cicsed platforms, as is the case with the
more manly dogs on the basement, but
some of them live in glass-houses. Others
occupy fairy cages, and some in wiry pa-
godas. No art or expense seems to have been
spared in providing for the comfort and ostentation
of some of these invaluable, but useless, mischie-
vous, and noisy breeds, whose character is well
represented by such names as Smut, Punch, Spitz,
Phunni, Miami, Pug, Fogies, Dandy, Picannuti,
Blondin, Tom, Topsy, Baby, .tc. But what does
name signify when Fogies is valued at 1,0001.,
Musmi at 2,001 E., and Spitz apparently priceless 1
Hem is Budget worth to its owner at least 1,0001.
The name is suggestive of the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, and as it was a notion of Swift's to tax
every man in proportion to his own estimate of him-
self, would it not be well to place an ad valorem
impost on these pet dogs that luxuriate on cushions
of satin and velvet, and live in all the refinement
of aristocratic opulence? Is it not opposed to all
modern notions of political economy to measure by
the same 12s. standard of taxation the plebeian
• Rab," the king of the road, as described by Dr.
J. Brown, and the lordly " Bevis," of Clair James
Greco, of Redhill, Surrey, value 10,0001. ! The
class and number of this invaluable creature deserve
to be recorded, and that the visitor may mark this
puppy worth a " lac," let it be known that it is to be
found in No. 1,558, Clam 66 (Pomeranian dogs).
Let not the visitor be too bold amongst these Lillipu-
tian lap dogs, or presume too much on their want of
thew or bulk, for, like animals higher in the order
of life, they are, some of them, as vicious as they
are small. We can testify to blood having been
drawn from the finger of one of the keepers who
put his hand too near one Skye terrier in attempt-
ing to save that of an unsuspecting visitor who
began to stroke a more le and inoffensive
neighbour. On asking it:a:le:planation of this
difference of temper, the answer of the keeper was,
"It is all owing to the bringing up, air."
Those who desire to study curiosities in
canine physiology will find in this department
ample opportunity for investigating how dogs with-
out noses can smell, and dogs whose eyes are co-
vered can see. It would seem to be true generally
of the class of dogs under consideration that they
are beautiful in proportion as they are ugly, and
that the principal point of perfection is the deepest
degree of deformity. Mrs. Delarue exhibits, it is
believed, the twosmallest black and tan terriers in
the kingdom, either being able to occupy a pint pot
for a doghouse, with room to spare. There is an
extraordinary-looking King Charles spaniel, named
Jumbo, the value of which the owner fires at 1001.
The Italian greyhound classes are exceedingly
beautiful, and there is one little fellow, answer-
ing to the name of Savoy, for which 100 passes
* also demanded. The shows of mastiffs
and watchdogs are truly splendid ; but the most
noble creature in the whole exhibition is a Pyre-
Dean wolf dog, exhibited by Mr. 8. R. Block, of
Barnet. That useful class of animals the Scotch