New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-22

Few persons who attend the Westmin-
ster show realize that the original purpose
Of the club was TO breed pointers for use
iu the field Of course, the Westminster
show has always been the greatest show
on earth 20 the American dog lover, but
within the last few seasons it has come 70
be recognized as such all over the world.
The Westminster Kennel Club, as the
promoter of the most important dog show
in America, has won for itself the premier
position among the clubs devoted to the
exploitation Of the genus Canus
The Westminster Breeders Association
had been organized for several seasons
prior 10 1876. when the Westminster Ken
mel Club was formed but it was not until
a year later that the first big show was
held-that is, comparatively big, for the
membership Of the club at that time was
small. Lacking numbers, they made mp
Tho deficiency with energy, so that the
initial venture was a wonderful success.
When the members of the club decided
10 hold a show IN the metropolis they en-
gagged Madison Square Garden, obtained
the services Of the late Charles Lincoln as
s7iperintendent and gave the first New
York show IN 1877.
The hearty support that the club re
ceived from dog fanciers all over the
country and the great interest evinced 10y
the general public so encouraged the mem
hers that they decided TO make the show
m annual fixture with this in view they
Incorporated under the present name.
There were less than score Of mem
hers but the collection was a distin-
ieuished one. II included Colonel lie Grand
r. Cannon. General A. S. Webb, Dr. w.
Seward Webb. c. Du Bots Wagstan' H.
Walter Webb. william N. Tleston, Fred
,riclx Bernard. C.. DE Forest Grant, VIII
Sam = Morgan. Edmund c. stanton. Oliver
.Isern. I.enox Bcllnap j. Hopkins smith,
Louis Il Wright. T. O. die Luze Dr. VIII
lam G.. Richards. Robert &. Cornell ana
Illumination Denton. General Webb was
Tho president and Mr.. Wagstan vice-presi-
Jort Of the club Dr webb was appointed
sccrctary-treasurer
At the first exhibition. which was held
the week Of May 8. there were 500 dogs
hcnchcd
n IS an interesting fact that at this
rrst show nearly q score OF ST. Bernards
were bcnched. and an of them were OF
the smooth coated variety. Not single
rough coated specimen was In evidence.
Now tho smooth coated dog on the
bench IS a rarity The largest class IN
tho show was the English setter, which
boosted $50 Red Irish settlers were
close second. with If7 entries. Next came
pointers. then black and tan settlers, and
then pugs. TRAIT nearly extinct breed. At
that time 10 well regulated household
could afford 20 be without one OF the
pop-eyod. screw-tailed beauties. but they
died natural death
Fox terriers and mastins were tied.
with an entry OF twenty-five each. Vt
the present day shows there are seldom
more than trio OF the latter breed
shown, and Morris Kinney. with his re-
Gently imported pair Of mastifs, is at
times the only exhibitor
other breeds which were we'll repre-
scented NJ the first show were Dandie Din
monts. that quaint breed which SIR Wal
ter Scott named. black and tan terriers.
freyhounds. Yorkshres. Ncwfoundlands
and Scotch terriers
Al Of these breeds had big entries. con-
s.dcring tho size Of the show. and we're