New-York tribune., 1912-02-23
QUEEN OF ALL DOGS
CROWNED AT THE SHOW
Sorceress, an AiredaIe Terrier,
Declared Best OF Any
Breed or Sex.
TICKLE EN- JOCK DEPosED
Fails Even to Get Reserve Rib
bon, Which Goes to a Fox
Terrier-Big Crowd
at Palace.

uss deposed and W. p. Nolcou hehlllSi y
sorceress. an Airedsle terrieI was crowned
opeen OF all dogs on the third day o. INC
Westminster Kennel Club show IN IN"
Grand Central Palace. Yesterday. Sorceress
Is not pretty to look at except 10 those Nno
low. the breed. but she is wonderfully char
scteristic and with all the marks which so
TO make No the we'll nigh perfect dog
Tickle I'm Jock, the stumpy rttle fellow
who furnished the surprise Of last year
show when he won the spratt trophy for
the hest dog Of any breed or sex, made n
brave fight 70 retain bis honors. but he
failed even 20 capture the reserve ribbon
this year. which fell TO winthrop Ruther-
furd's Warren Distinct, smooth coats1
fox terrier
A big crowd gathered about the ring on
the main floor. or hung over the balconies
when the most important class In the show
was called for competition. 1t was inter
esting for moro reasons than one. as II no;
only brought tho leading winners into the
ring at one time, but IL furnished chance
for comparison Of the various breeds, an
opportunity which comes only once year.
The contrast between the huge shaggy st.
Bernsrds. the towering Russian wclfhounds,
the stocky fierce looking bulldogs, the aris-
tocratic settlers, and so on down through
the list TO the yelping. "scrappy' terriers
and the fluffy, mincing Pomeranians was
striking 10 degree. Something over thirty
dogs If different breeds were shown for the
coveted trophy. and It took the judges a
long time to make the award.
w. p Wocott a son OF the late Cover
nor Woloott Of Massachusetts,, who breeds
dogs for the fun of II. showed Sorceress
himself and showed her well. AS the big
field narrowed down and all Indications
pointed TO the victory Of the Airedale. the
fsnciers Of that breed could scarcely hide
their delight. When the award finally was
made their enthusiasm knew no bounds and
Mr.. wolcott was warmly congratulated
A controversy is going on Just at this
time among Airedale terrier breeders over
the question Of a standard weight and
some contended that Sorceress was on the
small side Mr.. Wolcott's kennel man ex-
planned. however, that the accepted weight
standard for bitches was forty pounds and
that Sorceress weighed well over that
figure. He enlarged on her good points
and emphasized her good head, with barrel
muzzle, her stylish appearance, the good
texture Of her wiry coat, her excellent ex-
preston, which is so much desired, and
her fine bone and symmetrical body. 1t
seemed almost, TO hear him talk, as II all
that is good in a dog was concentrated In
sorceress.
Prince of York. which carried of chief
honors in the Airedale terrier classes a
year ago. was bought at the time by a
Chicago man for $500, and was not shown
this year. He alone has ever been placed
over Sorceress. but. as it was in special
class, the latter was not credited with
defeat For that reason Sorceress is uu-
beaten in her show ring career. and. be-
sides the high honors earned yesterday.
won in her classes and was placed over
Theodore offerman's York the Past Master,
which beat G. W. Batson's Soudan swiveler
In tho winners class for dogs, an award.
by the way. which has aroused much con-
troversy in the breed
In recent years the Airedale terrier has
Jumped into popular favor by leaps and
bounds Half century ago these terriers
began to appear in the Yorkshire district
of England, where they were used for
water rat and badger hunting. They are
said to be the result of a cross between
the Welsh terrier and the Basset hound,
and II did not take long for their good
qualities 10 attract breeders The Airedale
IL ldIRST lldn Il6 lIlbu DuI Save
for the black back the two breeds are
strikingly alike. A place was made for
them in the English stud book in 1856, but
IL was not until 1898 that classes were
opened 10 them at the shows in this city
and Boston. They are good retrlevers and
adaptable TO almost any kind Of outdoor
sport. being used for bear hunting in the
West, as they are not lacking in courage
and apparently are without fear.
Sorceress is only two and q half years
old. but already has proved herself in the
stud. as one of her sons earned blue rib
bon in the puppy class. and. weighing fifty
pounds. has every appearance Of q fun
grown dog. There were nine puppies In the
litter, and each one shown to date has been
a winner. Mr.. Wolcott has refused $500
for Sorceress but in order to strengthen
his kennel he purchased Stamboul this
week for 81 900.
Warren District, the smooth coated fox
terrier which earned the reserve ribbon.
was whelped in 1907. He won in his regular
classes, OF course, beating champion Tallac
Dasher among others In many respects he
fs almost the exact counterpart of his for
uner kennel mate. the famous Warren Rem
edy, which was crowned king Of all dogs
FOR three years in succession.
Hundreds of dog lovers Joined with the
Sanciers yesterday to make one of the big
gest crowds In the history of the West
minister Kennel Club show. The aisles were
not so packed as usually has been the case
on washingtons Birthday in Madison
Square Garden, but this was accounted for
bv the fact, that the aisles at the Palace
are so much broader and roomier. Chill
oren were out In numbers, particularly IN
the afternoon. while the gowns OF the
women reminded one Of the horse show.
The judges wound up most OF their work
early in the afternoon. and 80 cleared the
way for the big attractions in the main
ring and for the packs OF foxhounds ana
beugles which will DO shown this after
noon. Most OF the regular classes were
finished up late on Tuesday evening, but
were not posted until yesterday.
The show will come TO an end tonight,
when IN all probability another Dig crown
will be on hand, as the opportunity VIII be
offered TO pick out and inspect the dogs
which have Won the blue ribbons. and con-
seauently stand for the present at the top
OF their respective breeds.
0-
PEEKsKILL RUNS UP BIG SCORE.
The Peeksklll Military Academy five de-