The New York herald., 1921-01-30
SHOW ENTRIES LED
BY SHEPHERD DOGS
Number Of New European Bred
Exhibits Prove Decided
Surprise.


Surprise.
BY FRANK f. DOLE.
Another periodical vagary has made
its appearance among the dog fanciers.
and this time the animal which has
come uppermost in popularity is the
shepherd dog, which has been precipi-
tated into public favor by its use in
the ambulance department of the late
world war. I don't mean there Is a
universal flocking Of the dog lovers
toward this type of pet but the entries
for the Westminster Kennel Club on
February 10, IL and IL show that the
breed will top the list numerically, and
this is remarkable in an exhibit which
will be the greatest in the history of the
show. In one class alone no less than
thirty dogs will show on the catalogue.
and no better proof could be offered of
how the animal has taken the fancy of
those who like instinct, courage and
sagacity.
Ten years ago the breed was unknown
in America, and that it takes the place
of the Peke, the Pom. the Chow and
the Airedale or the foxterrier only DEM
onstrates that even the dog fancier is
forever on the hunt for something novel
and will cater to the newest item going.
Some think that the shepherd dog Is
purely of German origin and very old.
This view is incorrect, as the Belgians
did more to shape the breed than any
other country. That the variety is a
purely European product. of course.
there is no question. although 1t bears
some OF the unmistakable characteristics
of the Samoyedes and other Arctic
breeds.
The Brussels Veterinary University
has ranked the breed into three classes
the rough coated black. the smooth
coated fawn, and the wirehaircd dark
ashen gray, the color most prevalent
here now. 1t has been shown clearly
that there Will be need of ambulance
dogs in future wars, but the chief diff
Guilty will be to obtain the dogs in suf-
ficient numbers. There is no use In put
ting the dogs hurriedly into training in
time of war; but as a better plan I
would suggest that the Government es-
tablish a training quarters for this class
of dog. where soldiers. or handlers could
go to be instructed in times of peace.
Other Breeds Show Up Strong.
Other breeds which have attracted big
entries are the Great Danes. the Badger
dogs or dachshunds--a variation of the
name, as the German word dachs means
badger. The ever popular Boston ter
rier. home product, is there with it's
ever true patrons. The wire haired
fox terrier has held his own, and the
same may be said of the Airedales, Irish
terriers, the Pekes, Poms and other toy
classes
The striking feature of the catalogue
this time will be the predominance of
foreign bred dogs. and it is an instance
of the keenness, persistence, foresight
and shrewdness of the English breeders.
When an Englishman fancies a breed he
starts to study 1t and Immediately makes
an effort to improve it by breeding close
to blood lines and by introducing every
thing that will help to bring out what is
best in the variety. Should he chance
to exhibit his product and get beaten he
will not abandon his fancy, but go back
and strive TO do better, and it Is by
sticking to his hobby that he is finally
crowned with success. Then again the
Britisher sees that at tho present day
the dog is hourly growing In favor. and
that there is a small fortune in some of
the classes, especially those before the
public.
With the American fancier the case Is
u.
certain type he wants to have winner
right away, and of course the only
method possible is to pay big price for
some developed candidate and show him
with all the confidence Of a breeder. II
he wins with the purchase 1t is all right
and he goes along, but should he lose he
quits and either goes to another breed
and buys another star or else retires
giving an excuse that the dog game Is not
what he thought ii was. | am of the
opinion that 1t would be much better
policy for the Americans who might care
to enter the domain of dogdom to take
up some breed and pursue the same
tactics as the English breeder, and then
perhaps there would not be so much ne
cessity of digging into the bankroll tor
a trip to England to become the owner
of star show animal.
Kick About Registration Fee.
The Newark Kennel Club at a recent
meeting put itself on record with an
objection to the increase in the price of
registering dogs with the American
Kennel Club. In fact the Newark peo-
pie intend to file q protest with the A.
X. c. to that effect. The present fee
IS 81. but the plan Is that 1t shall be
increased to 81 after July i. Through
out the Manhattan diStrlct as well as
New Jersey there are reports OF gen.
eral kick about the increase. 1t is
pointed out that the high cost of
dog keeping Is an important item
to the kennel keeper nowadays and it
Is the wrong time for the A. X. G. to
come along with an extra charge. The
argument put forward by the fanciers
is that everything in connection with
the. dog Is growing more expensive, but
there is no increase in the prize money
at shows or In the quality of the trophies
offered for competition. l would sug-
gest as a sort of compromise that a
registration fee of $3.50 be charged and
that It may be suitable to both parties.
A new candidate for show honors has
appeared In. the shape Of a seventeen
months old collie bitch brought from
England by tho Earnscliffe Kennels OF
Berlin. Mass. and she win be on ex-
hibition at all the principal shows. She
has had wonderful record on her native
heath by winning wherever she was ex-
hibited. prominent among the victories
being three certificates at the leading
show. The new asplrant is of the Laund
type, which Is said to be praise enough
Tho Jadfes' Kennel Club of Massa-