EXCERPTS FROM "THE DOG IN AUSTRALASIA" BY WALTER BEILBY (cont.)

Captain Clark next brought out the well-known Capstan, with his English victories quite fresh and green.  The old dog is lasting remarkably well and has sired a good number of useful animals.  He has done his share towards popularizing the breed.   He is a great favourite at shows and is always on duty with his barrel collecting for some deserving cause.  He has had an unbroken career on the bench since his arrival in these colonies.   

Mr W.T. Lance, of Newcastle, New South Wales, imported that well-bred animal Geraint, one of the few sons of that wonderful dog Sir Bedivere, who in his later days, it is said, became almost sterile.   Dame Rumour said some very unkind things about him even in his early days.  To be bought for 1,590 pounds and resold for 200 pounds when almost in his prime as a show dog looks rather queer.  Geraint's dam, Lady Sneerwell, was by Pouf, 315, out of Jael, by Plinlimmon, 310, out of Deborah, by Beuchief, 1,111, out of Grove Lady, by Tell out of Lady, by Menthon out of Vic.  Geraint's best efforts at stud have been with Mr. Gosby's imported bitch Peggy II, who is by Napier out of Peggotty, by Guide, 1,116, out of Sans Peur, 1,259, by Barry (Siegenthaler's) out of Belline, by Barry (also known as Sultan), 1,080, out of Lola, 1,230, by Barry A out of Diana A.   Napier is by Plinlimmon, 310, out of Grace, by Valour out of Pandora, by Turk out of Savona, by Bayard, 34, out of Lenia, 811.  Valour by Oscar II, out of Belle, by Moltke out of Snowdon, by Hero out of Undine.  Oscar II, by Oscar.   Countess by Menthon out of Alp.

Several of the New South Wales winners are from this pair, the chief being Newington Nelson, Newington Pilgrim, and Sydenham Lion.

Lord Hawke, by Marvel, 240, out of Lady Gladys Holte, 74, is a rare combination of blue blood.   His early death was a great loss to his owner, Mr C. Ridley, and the greatest blow this breed has had.  As a sire for Australian weak-headed, light-boned, flat-sided bitches he was just the dog required, and his efforts at stud during the short time he was available have been fully exemplified.   It is gratifying to know that Mr Ridley does not intend to retire from a breed he has done so much for, and is negotiating for the purchase of another good sire.  Mr Ridley's latest purchase, Leander, died a week before his vessel reached this port - another blow to the breed, and at a time when new blood through a good channel is greatly needed.

I did not refer to Maplecroft Belle amongst the early importations, as she died without leaving any stock; neither did I mention those brought out by Captain Clark in 1880, as little of their blood is now to be found.   Baroness Plevna's (the 1891 importation) name appears in Atanga Bobstay's pedigree.

Mr L. L. Ramsey's (NSW) Loryceed Minerva is an imported bitch by Claudius, a son of Ben Lomond, by the Swiss dog Barry.  Claudius's dam goes back to Plinlimmon.

Mr W.P. Lance's Rossmoyl Gipsy was also bred by Mr S. Dutton, and is out of Stewardess by Midshipman, a son of Guide and Sabina.

Mr H.G. Woolnough, of Melbourne, imported the well-known Pattie, by Scottish Prince out of Miss Anna, by Watch out of a daughter of Angelo.  Scottish Prince, by Prince Regent, is a combination of blood good enough for any kennel.  She visited that good stud dog Duke of Maplecroft before shipment, but unfortunately missed.

Lord of the Manor, a son of Plinlimmon and Express, was imported by Mr Ackerman in 1892, but has not been much heard of since his defeat in the year stated.

A few were imported into New Zealand some years ago, the best stock of late years being in the hands of Baines Bros.  Mr J Anderson's, Mynda Lion and Mrs F.W. Ward's Barry XIV, were by far the best I have seen from their stock.  Nearly all the New Zealand bred St. Bernards fail very much in head proportions, being both long and snipy, and lack that massiveness of body and limb that is to be found on this side of the water.

The smooth division has not found much favour with Australians.  Mr W. Anderson, of Victoria, imported Young Norfolk some years ago.  He is a full brother to Mr Lansley's Wirriwalla Lord.  The latter was a far bigger dog than Young Norfolk.   Mr C. Ridley imported Norelia, a daughter of the mighty Keeper and Lapitha II, by Plinlimmon, 310, out of Lapitha by Centaur out of Leonore, by Leonard, 202, out of La Mascotte, 780.  Centaur by Cadwallader, 75.  Countess, 1,195, by The Shah, 395, out of Berne III.   Keeper by Ivo (brother to Guide, 1,116) out of Sans Peur, 1,259.  Several good animals have come from Norelia, and also from Wirriwalla Lord.

The Sydney dog, Lord Clifton, is one; he has won a number of prizes for Mr E. Palmer, and is generally credited with being the best of his breed in New South Wales.  I learn from very good sources that he is a greatly improved dog since I saw him last.  He is a rough-coated, like his dam.   She is a daughter of St. Leonards and Norelia. 

Besides those mentioned above, a few fairly well bred animals have been imported whose lines have not become prominent yet.

It will be observed that the admirers and breeders of St. Bernards have had some rare good blood to select from, but in some instances have been disappointed through the early demise of the new arrivals.  This should be a warning to beginners to take the very earliest opportunities of obtaining the services of any new lines of blood - from good sources, of course - instead of saying, as many have done, "Oh, I will wait until next season," a dilatory policy, which in several instances has lost them opportunities that may never return.   In our colonies, where good sires are so scarce, advantage should be jumped at when offered, and this tyro should bear in mind.