The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

The opening of the bird shooting season here in Alabama November has stirred the enthusiasm of hunters to an unusual degree. It may be the atmosphere one travels in, but it does seem that there is more dog talk in this town than ever before It ranges from discussing the best known local bird dogs, the prospects that they will have their first seasons in practical work with the gun in use, to the puppy talk" Lots of men have puppies in this town that will be handled in a novice way by professional or semi professional trainers. By the professional trainer is meant those who handle dogs for field trials"-the seni-professionals are dog breakers" who school young dogs on quail and sometimes correct faults this last is sometimes very hard task There are several well known ne- gro dog trainers in Alabama and Missis- sippi who have handled Birmingham dogs and in most instances have given satis- faction. 1 don't think that some of them take the proper care of dogs as to feed ing and protecting them from exposure, or the danger of catching colds, rheuma-
  want to call attention to the neglect of some owners of good dogs to take prop CT care of their dogs after hard days run. A bird dog should have blanket to lie on, and to cover him in railroad cars while travelling home after his days work, and also upon street car platforms or in vehicles. l always look well to this, and I never had a sick dog, or one that didn't have four good legs and good bot tom-wind, for six days in the week. Also a dog should have regular exercise at least one hour every day, and two is bet ter. It is good for the dog and 1t Is also good for the owner in the matter of health and happiness.
 The Birmingham Kennel Club
 The first dog show of the Birmingham Kennel club did more to stimulate interest in dogs of class than any one thing that has occurred here in years. The winnings and fame of noted dogs owned by Bir- uingham men in field trails gave great stimulus to the breeding and owning of star bird dogs of both the pointer and the setter breeds. Birmingham Is on the map in big stars in the world of ''dog- dom," for 1t has owned great winners and the sires and dams of several noted win ners "Old Styx," as he is affectionately called, was the greatest pointer sire of his day. There is today in Birmingham a daughter of his, valkyr, that beat everything in all the field trials a few seasons past in which she ran. Man itoba Rap was outclassed by her, and never made a high-class winning until she was missing from tho contest.
 The Birmingham Kennel club is plan ming an amateur field trial for December. It is suggested that 1t be held in the oneonta section of Blount county. It will be held for two days. Parties can go from Birmingham in the morning and re- turn that evening. Members of the Ken mel club and their families will be in att tendance Owners will handle their own dogs and professionals will be barred. This will make one of the most interest ing events possible and will open the way for some very spirited contests 10 decide the question of ''who has the best all-round bird dog in Birmingham'- p'inter or setter. It will equal some of the rivalry between houses In Tennessee and Kentucky in the olden days on the race horse question. There are men here like O's Henderson. who declare that mo pointer dog is in class with a Llewellen setter provided the setter has been prop erly handled."> Messrs. Tyler and East ham, who own vulkyr. Just laugh when | they hear this Some of the Birmingham sportsmen own both pointers and settlers, and they work well together when | handled rightly in the early training. but | there is no denying intense jealousy be- | tween the two breeds In the field as to
 Understanding each other on first point: that is. if the setter finds the birds l first the pointer squeezes In, or falls to point until he has his nose on the birds, | frequently causing the covey or singles | to flush.
 Great Field Trials
 | Alabama is to be tho battle ground of three notable events in field trials during 1 December and January next, These three events will bring to Letohatchie, in
 I.owndes county, many of the most not able dogs in the United States and Cam ada. The crucial contest Is the derby.
 but much Interest will attach to the un- 1 leashing of some young phenomenon, such as Commissioner, or Charley P. tby Cae-
 sar ex Zell Whitestone), the most phe-
 nomenal young dog that ever ran in a
 derby At the opening of the present season in Manitoba he dstanced all other dogs on prairie chickens. winning the much coveted first in the derby.
 Manitoba Rap was the first pointer to