The New York herald., 1922-02-12
More Than 100 Canine Aris-
tOcrats to BE Benched
at Garden.
H0MEBREDS ARE FAVORED
Importations Few on Eve OF
Annual Westminster Kennel
Club Event.
by FRANK r. DOLE.


What promises to be the greatest
Westminster Kennel Club show in
fifteen years will open tomorrow
morning in Madison Square Garden
More than 1900 dogs, representing all
breeds from the huge Great Dane
down to tke smallest toy, VIII be on
5he benches when the doors open for
the three day classic of the doggie
world
Although this is the most preten-
tious event of the Westminster Club
in many years, there is bound 20 be
disappointment to visitors as well as
exhibitors in the fact that a number
of the larger breeds will not be
benched on tie main floor. Those who
want to find the big fellows. including
the bloodhounds, mastiffs, ST. Ber-
nards, Great Danes and shepherds,
must go TO TIE basement.
Naturally the exhibitors of these
breeds are up in arms over the fact
their pets were relegated to the cellar
but there was no other way out for
the club. When the representatives OF
.Spratts. which have benched the big
shows for years. first looked over the
Garden II was believed room could be
made for 1000 dogs without any great
inconvenience. However. around the
boarded over swimming tank is a walk
which could not be removed and IL was
found this space was sufficient to re-
quire the moving into the basement
Space Is Decreased.
T. must be remembered the available
space in the Garden has been greatly
decreased. first through the conversion
OF the concert hall into a gymnasium
and finally by the building of the swim
ming pool. The concert hall had for
years been used for the benching OF
the toy breeds. When this was taken,
the toys We're placed In the balcony
The further limiting of space in the
main amphitheater has forced the big
dogs into the cellar. 1t was a case of
sacrificing either the exhibitors feel
ings or the comfort of the visitors. and
naturally the former had to suffer
However. there will be no judging rings
in the basement. All of these will be in
the main amphitheater.
II interest in dog affairs continues to
increase this year as II did in 1921.
entries for the big show next year may
put the Garden out of the question.
Inc CluD mas uOHe ltS DeSl 10 meet pTeS-
ent conditions with the minimum of
inconvenience TO the exhibitor and the
dog fans" and il is hoped that those
who suffer any inconvenience this year
will not feel too harsh toward the show
officials and trust in the belief that
next year will see conditions changed.
A glance at the table of entries for
this years show, compared with the 1921
fixture. shows that in the important es-
IL 80 1t.,l< ~.-sfl
be benched, this seasons event Is great
er. This year 1904 dogs will be benched
in 2,725 entries. Last year there were
mere entries. 2,7s2, but only 1.747 ac-
tual dogs
Shepherds show the Way.
The shepherds continue. as last year,
70 hold their leadership. with IFS dogs
in 212 entries. One of the big surprises
Is the strength of the Airedales. Many
believed this breed was on the decline.
but they have not only increased over
last year, but come within seven OF
equaling the shepherd entries. The
combined terrier shows held yesterday
In the First Field Artillery Armory
tended to strengthen the turnout OF ter
riers. With few exceptions the various
terriers made a better showing than last
year.
PekingeSe set a record Tor tnelr preeu
at the Westminster with a total OF
eighty -four dogs. One faction Of owners
of these smart little toys objected to
showing for three days. but those who
have been in opposition to the powers
that be in the Pekingese speciality circles
rallied strongly TO the support OF the
Westminster show.
There has been a marked falling off
In the sporting spaniels at this show.
The heroine OF last years classic. Mid
kff Seductive. a cocker owned by w. T.
PAYNE of Kingston. Pa, will not be
shown nor will any OF the other spanieis
owned by this breeder. II is rumored