The herald., 1897-07-10
THE KENNEL

.a ~.
The committee on rules of the A. X. c.
will recommend at the next meeting In
September, a change of classification
that will revolutionize' our present sys-
tenn, says the American Stockkeeper.
This is nothing less than adoption of the
English method of ssification-Limit,
Winners, Maiden. Novice and Puppy
classes. The open class will not be
msnomer as at present, but will admit
to competition any dogs over six months
of age, and irrespective of winnings.
This will be much-needed reform, and
there is little doubt it will go through
at the September meeting. The commit
tee has also drawn up list of penalties
for non-conformity to A. K. c. show
rules, both for clubs and exhibitors. In
future entries will be rigidly scrutinized,
and the system of entering dogs with
simply John Snooks, agent, will receive
call down in the way of disqualification
for the dog so entered. The name of the
owner must be given in every CAGE.
Likewise dogs entered as pedigree and
breeder unknown, when the contrary is
the fact, will also receive the attention.
1t is also proposed that the forfeit de-
| posit OF $25 will be- in the nature of a
| bond from clubs for proper adherence
to A. X. c. rules, and instead of one in
fraction of a rule being visited with the
forfeit of the entire money deposit, as
heretofore, the different infractions will
have graduated penalty of 60 much
each, so that if a club breaks a rule in
say two instances, that club will simply
pay the penalty of those derelictions and
the balance of forfeit will be returned
But the limit that club is liable to be
penalized is covered by the original de-
post. If all these rules go through, as
they most probably will, clubs and ex-
hibitors will. with the new classification
in vogue, have to be very careful in both
entries and the conduct of the shows.
+ 4
In this same connection Field Sports
says: For some time the American Ken
mel clubs committee on rules has had
under consideration very radical
change from the present classes provid-
ed at our shows There is no doubt but
what there is room for improvement
over the present classificati ton OF chal-
lenges, open, novice and puppy classes,
and the method provided for entering
them. At the same time too radical
changes from accustomed methods are
apt to work an injury instead of bene-
fit.
Whatever changes it may seem desir-
able to make should be made gradually.
A very large portion of the American
people are only just learning the signifi-
cance of the present classification and
beginning to have clear understand
ing of its workings, and to wipe the
whole system off the books at ore sweep
of the pen, and in its place substitute
another wholly different, will. we are
afraid, produce chaos in the ranks OF
the great mass of our show patrons and !
result in setting back the now growing
interest.
To those who might be termed profess
sionals amy changes, no matter how
widely varying from the system of classi-
fication at present in vogue, would be
readily met and If for the better asread-.
lily approved. But the great majority
of our show patrons, especially on this
coast, are just beginning to get clear
conception of the workings of bench
show regulations, and that too with as
yet an imperfect understanding of the
reasons or necessities for the various ,
classes and qualifications Not to say
to these men, you have learned all this !
for no purpose, it was all wrong and we
have discarded it, and you must begin
again at the bottom of the ladder, WILL |
we are afraid have the effect of blighting
their just budding enthusiasm. With
our eastern fanciers the case may be !
somewhat different They may from |
their longer contact with shows and |
their more frequent occurrence have the |
general public better schooled in the |
technique of the show room, but here |
the public as yet are but novices, and |
it is with their interests we are more
particularly concerned.
No doubt the changes to the English |
classification are good ones, but cannot |
the committee so arrange for their ad- !
option that we will work into them
gradually? Sudden and radical changes |
in laws are not only impolitic but are |
quite generally dangerous and result in
the disorganiZation of the whole sys- |
tenn. This has been proven by the poll |
tical history of the world and wars and |
national disruptions of great magnitude
have followed. Is there not danger, or
at least the possibility Of IRE parable in
jury following a too sudden revolution
of our present system? We are not op-
posing change. We only ask that it
be made gradual, in order that the dis
turbing influences created thereby will
be as light as possible and the easier
smoothed down.
Says Turf, Field and Farm: "Since
cycles have been introduced into the
army German officers seem to have been
considering how their advantage could
be neutralized, and they have come to
the conclusion that the dog, a Great
Dane by preference, because of his
weight and strength. is the best instru-
ment to employ. The training of the ami
mails is going forward in the garrisons
of Berlin. They are trained in the first
place to distinguish German and, Aus
trian uniforms from those of French and
Russian soldiers, and when their edu-
cation in this respect is sufficiently ad-