The Washington herald., 1914-03-15

his skin was mounted and may be seen
| In the Museum of Natural History al
Berne. Switzerland.
The st. Bernards were originated and
perfected by the Monks more than 500
years ago, through a cross between the
mastiff Of Denmark and the Pyrenueau
sheep dog. with a later cross Of the
Newfoundland blood. For centuries these
dogs, like the holy men who perfected
them, have been devoted to the welfare OF
humanity, but after falling into the hands
| of English fanciers. they soon afterward
| suffered from the blighting influence of
| the English Kennel Clubs STANDARD"
In striving for size. the breed has lost
its chief characteristics. and to quote
tured in constitution and l. many cases
converted into crippies behind-scarceiy
| able to raise a trot let alone do any
| tracking in the snow-usefulness, how
| ever, is not a consideration with breed
ers who have reared the dog to meet
the exfgencies Of the show ring-there
Is still much left to be desired, and
| there is room for considerable improve
ment, as only few of the more modern
dogs of the breed approach the stand
ards drawn up by the clubs that are
, interested in its welfare" This Is only
one Of the many shameful confessions
corded in English canine history. "Wel-
fare" forsooth, is this the way to treat
a breed of dogs? To destroy them in or
der that they may conform to the blight
ing English Standard
$4,000 for q st. Bernard.
One of these modernized st. Bernards
was bought by an American millionaire
several years ago, for which he paid
$500 The dog never amounted to any
thing here. which is not surprising. in
view of the fact that but few OF the
high-priced English monstrosities ever
amount to anything, for which true dog
| fanciers should be thankful
There are thousands Of alleged Ameri-
can dog fanciers who profess to believe
that the only good dogs in existence are
the product Of English kennels. The
only apology which can be made for
them is. that they derive their misin-
formation through American dog papers.
many Of which draw their inspiration
through the advertising columns.
The American dog breeder tries to COM
bine activity. intelligence and conforma-
ton with health ...Iu strength, but as his
dogs must be Judged according to the
standards" formulated by the modern
basilisk. the English Kennel Club he in
variably finishes second to the brainless
monstrositie5 bearing the empty title Of
English champion
As has been repeatedly stated in these
columns. the real sportsmen of Great
Britain are Al g the finest in all the
world; they maintain the great sporting
clubs Of their country at the annual cost
of hundreds Of millions of dollars, yet
they do not recognize the English Ken
mel Club. nor would any one of the hun
pleasure of meeting there, waste five
minutes looking at the poor helpless
canine wrecks which are exhibited by the
thousand by the commercial dog breed
ers.
Troahle with Kennel Club.
In America. the dog breeders have the
same trouble to contend with in connec-
ton with the American Kennel Club.
which may be properly termed the Amer
lean annex of the English Kennel Club.
The American sportsmen are becoming
tired Of the arbitrary rulings Of this
self-styled authority Of subjects per-
tanning to dogs, and 1t 4; not beyond the
range of possibility that the National
Dog Breeders Association will eventually
take its place in the transporting, as 1t
has in the sporting breeds
We present a picture Of Lord Balti-
more. which is the property of DIR. r. L.
Hammond. OF Frederick, Nd. who ex-
hibited him at the recent Westminster
show. and which was Immediately given
''the gate" simply because his coat had
been trimmed last autumn, during the
hunting season. DIR. Hammond had prev
icusly refused $4,000 for Lord Baltimore
and when this fact became known
through the New York newspapers, the
judges set about explaining their attitude
i'm disqualifying this most wonderful
dog.
The Washington Herald is the only
newspaper making a fight in the interest
Of American dogs; a revised standard
for all breeds; the perpetuation Of only
healthy. intelligent breeds: a strict quar-
antine law: the publication by the gov.
eminent of useful literature concerning
the care of dogs, and their adoption by
this government for use in the army In
times of war, as we'll as their use by
municipal governments in police depart
ments throughout the country.