The Washington herald., 1914-03-15
SWZEP ,NZNlRD

the ears. while neglecting to legislate to
protect the tail, to remove which must
be quite as painful as cropping ears.
The terrier breed probably comprises
tion in Great Britain. and il all the tails
which are annually cut from the fox and
Airedale terriers could be gotten together.
they would very likely make a full cargo
for the largest freight steamer sailing
out Of England. not to speak of those
which are cut from the spaniels. The
Briton may be depended upon to enact
laws to suit the occasion. At one period
IN English history. the law compelled
the amputating of three toes from each
front foot of dogs owned by certain Of
her subjects Directions for performing
these operations are still to be found in
acts bearing on the subject.
No TnternationaI Contest
Our correspondents final plea regard
ing international contests and the i'm
portation OF fresh, healthy blood" caps
the climax. There is no such thing as
an international contest" between Amer
ican spd English dogs, except in isolated
cases, due to the severity of the British
quarantine law, though American mil
lionaire faddists frequently purchase
dogs in England and exhibit them in the
pose of having their names appear an
the society columns.
As to healthy blood every disease
catalogued among the canine family in
this country was brought here by Eng
lish dogs. More than 100 years ago dis
temper was introduced into England
from France, yet with all their boasted
knowledge Of canine anatomy. they have
never discovered a cure for the disease.
The only specific fer this dread disease
was discovered by an American Rabies
Is as prevalent in England as II Is in
this country: only a few years ago there
was an epidemic Of it in England of
such severity that laws were enacted
compelling owners of dogs running at
large to keep them muzzled. in fact the
American muZzle law was patterned
after that of England
That English breeders have done much
for the Improvement of the canine family
no well informed fancier will deny, but
that they have also done considerable in
jury to great breeds is also fact. We
may mention the st. Bernard. which they
have ruined, as far as usefulness is con-
cerned: also the bull dog. the fox terrier.
the borzoi. the collie. and in fact every
breed which has been taken up as a fad
by commercial dog breeders in England,
and STANDARDIZED by the English ken
mel club. American breeders would be
better or without importations Of any
of the breeds now ST popular in Eng
land.
In bull terriers, retricvers, settlers,
pointers. spaniels. sheep dog, and fox
hounds-the breeds which must have
health, strength. and brains-we surpass
anything in the canine family in England.
and with a quarantine Jaw. within ten
years American breeders would be in a
position to compete in classes for the
brainless wonders over which commercial
English dog fanciers are now raving. The
only fanciers who will oppose a quaran-
tine law are those who are interested in
the sale of English-bred dogs. CT those
who have no money invested in dogs or
interested in the success of American
fanclers, or those who know nothing
about the conditions
Personally the writer has hundreds OF
true friends among the sportsmen of
England. all of whom would welcome the
repeal OF the quarantine law. and all OF
whom know that the English Kellel Club.
which Is manipulated in the interest of
the commercial dog breeders, has been
detriment to every breed that it has taken |
up. A. p. 0coNoR.