New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-28
SYSTEM IN DOG BREEDING.
CLUBS THAT FIX THE TYPE AND
POINTS" OF SPECIAL KINDS
OF DOGS.
.y.rrr-ps AND PROFESSIONALS WHO coNFrNn
THEIR ATTENTION TO THEIR
FAvoRITE SPECIES.

FANORlTE sfEClES'
II there is one query that more than another
enters the head OF the average spectator at sucn
a dog show as the one New-York has enjoyed the
last week il is where all the exhibitors como
from. OF course. the expert in dog lore never
thinks OF this He knows without thinking; put
the average spectator who would find II dimcuN
to tell the difference between a Scotch terrier
and an Irish terrier unless he saw them together.
and who would be hard put 70 II II he were asked
to tell what sort OF brisket a wel-bred collie
should have. but who goes 10 the show because
he loves the dogs and likes to see and pet them
this average person is inclined TO wonder at the
evidences he sees OF the extent 10 which the dog
show business is systematZed
If he took the trouble TO inquire, which ne
probably did not he would find that the largest
groups OF entries are made by comparatively
few people These large owners who are for the
most part breeders as we'll are divided, naturally,
into two classes amateurs and professionals.
Most OF the large amateur owners are men OF
wealth who maintain at their country places ex-
tensve kennels and who spend much money ana
pains in the endeavor to raise as fine dogs as pos
sible. Each one OF these amateurs Is particularly
fond Of certain breed Of dogs, which he usually
cultivates to the exclusion OF all others 1t is
pretty expensive business. this breeding OF hne
dogs for the mere pleasure OF the sport. and that
Is why the most prominent amateur breeders are
men OF considerable means. J. Perpont Morgan.
whose collies were such large winners last week,
is a case in point, and August Belmont, again.
has paid particular attention TO the raising OF
fox terriers
The professionals even larger owners tnan
the wealthy amateurs, and there are more OF
them. They are not breeding dogs for sport. but
MT. 1NAc pa+ nm
any the less fine animals. They conduct their
business Of breeding earnestly as the manu-
facturer does his or the trust king his. They
know that prize-winning dogs at the big shows
mean money in their pockets AS in the case OF
the amateurs the professionals are generally
confined to breeding one breed Of dogs Dog
breeding is specialized just much as shoemak-
ing.
ONE RESULT OF SPECIALIZATION.
This specialization has led to interesting
phenomenon in the world Of dog breeders II Is
the formation of clubs whose members are given
over to the raising OF a certain breed OF dog, ana
whose object is 10 perpetuate, cultivate and I'M
prove that particular breed. Nearly all Of the
breeds that have attained any degree Of popu-
larity In this country have clubs that devoted
to their interests. Fashion and sport are the two
factors that go furthest toward determining the
popularity of a given dog. Sporting dogs have
long been popular in all their varieties because
Of their usefulness; but pet dogs are dependent
for their vogue upon the caprice OF fashionable
folk.
Whenever dog gets so popular that there Is
demand for him ne has a. club organized In MS
behalf or more strictly speaking, in behalf OF the
men who own him going 10 breed him.
The French bulldog for instance. has lately been
coming into vogue He is the latest novelty In
the canine world. He would look much like any
other bull terrier If it were not for his ears and
right here comes in the mission of the speciality
clubs There was a French Bulldog Club formed
one day last week at the Dog Show, and the nrst
thing 1t did to proclaim that the French
bulldog must have prick or tulip ears, in dlstinc-
ton from the ears of the ordinary bulldog or
bull terrier.
FIXING THE TYPE
This fixing the type or the standard Of tuds-
ment to which well-bred dogs OF certain srecies
must conform is the raison d'etre of the speciality
dog clubs For instance. the Pointer Club OF
which George ]. Gould and w Gould Brokaw are
prominent members has decreed that brains.
nose and speed make the pointer, and II mas
furthermore declared that the nose should be
/ large long broad and deep enough TO make II
! SQUARE muZzled" shoulders long sloplng ana
! graceful'-"tail set on well up and should taper
! TO a decided point" and has affirmed various
! other things of the pointers feet, MS back his
! lons and in fact, of his whole physique. Thus.
! having set the standard, the members or the
! club proceed TO endeavor TO breed dogs that
! will live I'D TO IT, Furthermore, they offer prizes
and trophies for the dogs nearest approaching
| the standards they have made They also pro-
/ duce a. scale of points, marking a dog on the
! scale of 100 and allowing a certain number or
/ ponts for each physical feature that is judged.
| Here for example, is the scale decreed for the
! pointers:
Skull
Ears. and lips
k.
I CneSt.
Hind-duarters and stiles ID
80 sihous and hooks II
!
! Tai.
}
Symmetry and quality ..........................
Total 100