The New York herald., 1921-02-06
ARlSTOCRACY CT
DOGDOM IS READY
FOR GARDEN SHOW
Total of 1,747 Pets in West
minister X. C. Ex-
hibit.
MORE THAN LAST YEAR
Toy Dogs to Be Benched for
the First Time in
Balcony.
MORE THAN LAST YEAR
by FRANK r. DOLE.

nlln dnuudl SllOW On 1hhi Sudys ttANdy
and Saturday at Madison Square Gar
den. That the exhibit will be up to
the usual standard there is now no
doubt, as there is grand total of 1,747
dogs for 2.@03 nominations and these
represent sixty different breeds, includ-
ing eleven in the miscellaneous classes,
the figures showing an increase of 1873
dogs over last year. This fact clearly
demonstrates that the fancy Of men and
women for their canine favorites Is not
on the decline.
OF course great credit is due the West
minister Kennel Club in organizing the
exhibit and In giying the dog world at
large chance to show its pets and in
cidentally to capture some of the valu-
able prizes The purchase of the
prizes, challenge cups. trophies. medals
and ribbons is an important item and
doubtless the public will be surprised to
learn that the cost of prizes and of run
ming the show means an expenditure OF
$4,000 before q cent of admission money
can be counted. Neither is there ever
any profit out OF the show. although few
of the members OF kindred big sporting
organizations work as hard as the
powers that be In the Westminster Ken
mel Club
In the benching of the dogs this year
the management of the show was con-
ITOUttQ Will a IdlutT tiChltSu pIoDicfii.
The concert hall where the pet dogs
were shown in all their aristocratic sur
roundings in former years has been
transformed into a gymnasium and the
little fellows had to go somewhere else.
At the right moment the Spratts Com
pany came to the rescue and arranged
that the entire troupe of pets be benched
on the first balcony, and the cages will
be so arranged that the spectators will
4 experience no trouble in seeking out their
favorite breeds.
Plan an Improvement.
The plan or showing the small dogs in
the main building is thought to be an i'm
provement instead of a detriment, as
they will be within easy reach. Hereto
fore they frequently were missed. as
many were not versed enough in the
geography of the Garden to locate the
,all. Those exhibitors who are accus-
sorned to bring silk pillows and other
stylish fittings for the stalls will be given
<yery opportunity to make the sur
roundings of their pets as comfortable
as possible.
This year every precaution will be
taken by the management to insure
against the appearance of distemper or
any other tagious disease Every dog
on being admitted to the hallway will be
examined by Drs. Frank and George
Miller who will act as veterinaries to the
hhow. A report from England Is to the
effect that more dogs have died from dis
temper In the Old World this winter than
at any q In the history of the dog
shows. AMI as there are to be some Eng
lish exhibits the w. * c. are not going
to take any chances at the Garden.
Another thing promised by those in
H. - ~ n
be admitted without the least confusion
and as rapidly as they arrive at the en-
trance. With this end In view the doors
will be opened In the forenoon on
Wednesday, and competent men will be
there TO handle the rush. Positive as
surance has been given that the entire
Garden will be disinfected before a single
dog is allowed TO pass inside the door.
so If there Ia the least trouble the w. X.
G. will not be to blame. Exhibitors are
expected to be on hand early with their
dogs.
OF the sixty varieties listed the shep-
herd dogs head the array with a total
OF 1862 and this Ia a glaring in
stance of what can be done with a new
breed IL ii has propaganda TO help. An
examination of the entry list shows
that not a single fancier was In the dog
breeding sport prior to the appearance
OF the shepherd dog. A few might have
been slightly interested In other types,
but they were never heard OF among
the front rank of exhibitors
First Appearance of Type.
The first appearance of the present
type occurred at The Spa. Lege, Bel
GUM. In 1882. where he was listed as q
dog WOLF" and by that name he ap-
pcared on the catalogue, and was e5.-
hrbited more In the manner of a curl
osity than a type of domesticated ami
NAL. Scattered in tho classes are some
of tho finest specimens to be seen In
this country. as well as some crack Inn
portations, SO the competition for the
long list of prizes and big specials Is
bound to be very brisk.
Two breeds which have held their own
are the Boston terriers and the wire
haired fox terriers. The Bostons number
f5s, while the wires are well up with
LIS, and the remarkable point about the
ssres 10 dat toey have carried oc the
mantle in the number of entries, the
figures being 23s. and this IL nine ahead
of the shepherd dogs. or late the wires
have been named the general utility
dog" on account OF their adap.ability
as a companion TO either man or woman.
There are two varietIes--the smooth
and w1re-tne fatter being more popu-
lar, although II requires more grooming
on account of it's coat.
Foremost among the entries Is ConeJo
wycollar Boy. winner OF the prize as
beet dog or the show and owned by
Mrs. Roy Rainey There are a number
of formidable opponents, few OF which
have been brought over from England
by George S. Thomas, VINO arrived
week ago with a string OF eight pur-
chases- Mr. Thomas will show welsh
Scout. dog which has won hh cham
pionship In all the big shows IN England. |
and by the critics IL thought 20 be one J
or the best wires alive to-day
There was some surprise among the |
dog lovers that Mr.. Thomas should re-
turn with no few new dogs, but this |
should create no comment when Il is |
remembered that high class show dogs
are scarce just now In England, and |
that the English breeders of late have
become fully alive 70 the real value OF
their good ones. Bargains are not as
plentiful in the land Of the Saxon as
they used TO be. On other occasions IL
was nothing for Mr.. Thomas to return |
with as many as 100 purchases, but not |
SO this year. and II Is Understood he |
was mighty lucky 10 garner the ones he |
did.
While some Of the classes have given |
evidence OF Improvement not a few hav. |
fallen on. Why such change should |
I